The State Department reports that Blinken informed a Chinese envoy that the surveillance balloon constituted an “unacceptable infringement” of US territory.
In light of rising tensions between the United States and China following the downing of a Chinese surveillance device by the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with China’s senior diplomat in Munich on Saturday.
While in Munich for the Security Conference, Blinken met with Wang Yi, another diplomat. It was confirmed by State Department Spokesman Ned Price that the two officials “met on the periphery” of the Munich summit, making it the first in-person contact between China and the United States since the surveillance item was shot down.
“The Secretary specifically addressed the intolerable breach of U.S. sovereignty and international law by the PRC high-altitude surveillance balloon in U.S. territorial airspace,” Price added.
The United States “will not stand for any breach of our sovereignty,” Price said, adding that Blinken “made explicit” this point.
According to Price, China’s surveillance operation “has been revealed to the world,” as it has “intruded” into the airspace of 40 countries across 5 continents.
According to Price, Blinken also discussed the Russian invasion of Ukraine with Yi and “warned about the ramifications and repercussions if China gives material support to Russia or assists with systemic sanctions evasion.”
According to Price, the two diplomats discussed North Korea’s missile program, with Blinken criticizing the DPRK’s most recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch.
Secretary Biden “reiterated President Biden’s assertions that the United States would compete and will unabashedly stand up for our principles and interests,” but that the United States does not seek war with the People’s Republic of China or a new “Cold War,” as Price put it. The Secretary stressed the need for constant open communication and diplomatic channels.
Two weeks have passed since the two countries met, and in that time, the United States military shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina after it had flown over the United States for many days.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yi remarked at a briefing earlier in the day that the US reaction to the discovery of a Chinese surveillance balloon in American airspace was “unimaginable” and “hysterical.”