US and China Exchange Strong Words Following Shooting Down of Suspected Surveillance Balloon

The United States and China have exchanged strong words following the shooting down of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina earlier this month. On Saturday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with a senior Chinese diplomat at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, the first face-to-face between senior US and Chinese officials since the incident.

The meeting between Blinken and Wang Yi, director of the People’s Republic of China CCP Central Foreign Affairs office, was held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, which both are attending. The U.S. has accused China of overseeing an extensive international surveillance program, while China has maintained that its balloon was not intended for spying.

The diplomatic fallout from the balloon has been swift, with both countries exchanging strong words. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed in a statement its “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to the US’s actions. In response, the US has accused China of violating international law and of engaging in “unlawful and dangerous activities”.

The meeting between Blinken and Wang Yi is seen as a potential step towards de-escalating tensions between the two countries. It is unclear what was discussed during the meeting, but it is hoped that the two sides can find a way to resolve the issue and move forward.