(ANSA) - WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 04 - "The Chinese spy balloon in the US skies is a violation of American sovereignty and international law" and an "irresponsible" act by Beijing, thundered the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, at a conference press with the South Korean foreign minister in Washington.
The balloon "does not constitute a threat to the population", but "it is a violation of our sovereignty and it is unacceptable", added Blinken, reiterating that he had postponed his visit to Beijing: "the conditions (for the visit) were not favourable", he said , underlining that, however, the "channels of communication with China remain open".
"Our priority now is to ensure that the Spiacina-balloon moves away from the US skies", added Blinken.
Beijing replied to Blinken this morning: China and the United States "must remain focused, communicate in a timely manner, avoid misjudgments and manage differences in the face of unexpected situations", said the Chinese Communist Party's head of diplomacy, Wang Yi, urging people to use "calm " and "coldness".
US media and politicians "have taken advantage" of allegations leveled against a balloon of spying on US territory, "using the incident as a pretext to attack and defame China," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which added a comment on the Blinken's announcement that he would postpone the visit to China: "Indeed, neither side ever announced that there would be a visit. It is
According to the American media, its positioning in the American skies is "intentional" and not the result of "force majeure", as claimed by Beijing, which has apologized and affirms that the spy balloon, used in meteorology, would have been diverted to the USA by the wind without possibility to check it.
(HANDLE).