This rejection confirms the deterioration of relations between the two leading world powers.
By AFP
Ihe government in Beijing on Saturday declined a US offer of a phone call between Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and his counterpart Wei Fenghe shortly after the US Air Force shot down a Chinese balloon, the US Department of Health said on Tuesday. Defense.
“Our commitment to maintain open channels of communication will continue,” however, promised General Pat Ryder, a spokesman for the Pentagon, after this rejection confirming the deterioration of relations between the two first world powers.
The American army shot down on Saturday, off the coast of South Carolina, this Chinese balloon considered by the Pentagon as a spy balloon, intended to collect sensitive information. Beijing maintains for its part that it was a civil aerostat, mainly intended to collect meteorological data.
Chinese balloon: “Logic would dictate that there should be a symbolic response against the Americans”
“On Saturday, February 4, just after taking action to bring down the Chinese Communist Party balloon, the (US) Department of Defense submitted a request for a secure call between Minister Austin and the Chinese Defense Minister. Wei Fenghe,” detailed General Ryder. “Communications between our armies are especially important at times like these. Unfortunately, the Chinese Communist Party declined our request,” he added.
The Chinese government said on Monday that the United States, by shooting down the Chinese balloon which was flying over their territory, had “seriously affected and damaged” relations between the two countries.
