Home Uncategorized US-China relations stiff over ‘spy balloon’ accusations

US-China relations stiff over ‘spy balloon’ accusations

by Zahid Jadwat

The United States and China should not have abandoned efforts to reconcile the countries to deal with the spy balloon crisis, according to a researcher.

The two superpowers were caught in a spat over ‘spy balloons’, both accusing each other of sending spy balloons. The Americans downed the balloon and three unidentified flying objects in recent weeks.

The US cancelled a China visit by the secretary of state, Antony Blinken, which had been planned amid bilateral efforts to improve relations. It further sanctioned six Chinese entities believed to support military spy balloon programs.

Gideon Chitanga, Research Associate at the African Centre for the study of the United States at the University of Witwatersrand, said the two countries ought to set the balloon saga aside and focus on “legitimate” crises.

“Given the critical, multiple, multilateral issues that are currently affecting the global community, Secretary Blinken should have continued his engagement as pre-planned since November. These conversations were meant to deal with a lot of issues,” he said.

This week, China’s foreign ministry accused the US of flying high-altitude balloons over its airspace more than 10 times since the beginning of last year – a claim the US subsequently denied. A spokesperson claimed it was “not uncommon” for the US to go into other countries’ airspace.

“Since last year, the US’s high-altitude balloons have undergone more than 10 illegal flights into Chinese airspace without the approval of the relevant Chinese departments,” Wang Wenbin said, describing China’s reaction as “responsible and professional”.

 

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Call for dialogue

Blinken was anticipated to discuss international relations between China and the US, as well as post-pandemic global recovery efforts, global conflict, climate change and, possibly, the Turkiye-Syria humanitarian catastrophe.

“As a matter of necessity, dialogue between these two countries should be maintained at all costs,” said Chitanga.

He said important issues of global concern should not have been overshadowed by “drama” over the balloon issue.

“These two global powers are very important in addressing these issues and although the issue of balloons could be a concern, particularly for the US, the drama around it overshadowed the legitimate concerns that should be taken as very serious responsibilities,” he stated.

Julie Allie and Gideon Chitanga spoke about other crises confronting the world that US-China relations impacted. Listen to the full discussion here:

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