The Chinese government on Wednesday accused US President Joe Biden of "
saying one thing and doing the opposite
", over the downing by a US fighter jet of a Chinese balloon over the United States.
Bilateral relations have turned sour since this incident on February 4.
According to Washington, it was a spy device that observed US military bases in particular.
For its part, Beijing presented this aerostat as a civil infrastructure which had deviated from its trajectory.
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"Indiscriminate use of force"
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Twitter that he "
condemned the incursion
" during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Asked about this tweet by the Chinese state channel CCTV, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted strongly on Wednesday.
“
President Biden personally and unscrupulously ordered the dispatch of advanced fighter jets and missiles to shoot down a civilian airship
,” spokesman Wang Wenbin said during a regular press briefing.
"
It's 100% indiscriminate use of force, it's 100% overreaction, it's 100% hysterical.
This is a serious violation of international practice and conventions
,” he added.
Read alsoChina-United States: the hunt for spy balloons intensifies
“
President Biden has repeatedly promised, publicly and solemnly, that he is not seeking a new Cold War and has no intention of entering into conflict with China
,” the spokesperson also stressed.
"
We hope that as the leader of a great country, he will keep his word and do what he says, instead of saying something and doing the opposite
."
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