China is urging peace following U.S. shoots down suspected spy balloon

February 7, 2023: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning is forcing the dual sides to remain peaceful following the U.S. said it shot down what is known as a Chinese spy balloon.

“What I want to show regarding this sudden accident is that different sides, especially the U.S., should remain calm,” Mao stated in Mandarin.

She spoke at the initial of the ministry’s daily press conferences following the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cancelling his trip to Beijing after the news that a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon is roaming over the United States.

Blinken was initially expected to visit Beijing Sunday and Monday, although the U.S. offers few official details, and the Chinese side never said okay to the trip. The U.S. military shuts down the balloon over the weekend.

China had called the balloon a “civilian unmanned airship” and said it primarily researched before it was blown off course.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao was focussing the accidental nature of the balloon’s flight path and stated that China had lost control of different vehicles, according to her talk session on Monday with reporters.

When asked who or what kind of firm made the balloon, Mao declined to share the details.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer “spoke that we do know that once the balloon was shown to the public, China attempted to manoeuvre the balloon which leaves the U.S. as soon as they could,” a Senate Democrats press release stated on Sunday.

When asked about this detail, Mao said China’s communication with the U.S. was “always working hard to handle things responsibly.”

She stated again that the event was accidental but put the U.S. to the test regarding how it can handle crises and stabilize U.S.-China relations. Mao reiterated China is known for “mutual respect, peaceful living together and win-win cooperation“ in the bilateral connection.

Plans for Blinken’s visiting Beijing were announced following the President of China, Xi Jinping and the President of the U.S., Joe Biden, having their first in-person meeting in the Biden administration.

News of the meeting and anticipations that Blinken would visit Beijing had increased hopes for stability in the tense U.S.-China connections.

Ahead of Blinken’s meet, U.S. Department of State Ned On Monday, Price told reporters that one goal of high-level discussions with Beijing was “management” of the world’s “most consequential” bilateral connection. He added that such talks make sure that “competition doesn’t veer into conflict.”