Mr. Biden stated that the three unidentified objects fired down by the United States did not appear to have been used for espionage and were most likely used for benign reasons. He stated that he made no apologies for defending American airspace. But added, “We do not seek a fresh Cold War with China.”
President Joe Biden stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping does not wish to harm ties with the United States over the “spy” balloon shot down over North America.
Mr. Biden stated, “I believe the last thing Xi desires is to fundamentally rupture the relationship with the United States and with me.”
Mr. Biden stated in earlier remarks to the country that the three unidentified objects shot down by the United States did not appear to have been used for espionage and were likely used for benign purposes.
According to the US president, the objects were “most likely” associated with private companies or study institutions.
After shooting down a Chinese “spy” balloon over North America, US-China tensions are increasing.
Previously, the White House stated that China operates a “high-altitude balloon program” for data gathering.
Later, US fighter aircraft shot down three additional unidentified objects. One over Alaska, one over Canada, and one that crashed into Lake Huron.
Mr. Biden stated that “nothing indicates at this time that they were associated with the Chinese spy balloon program or were surveillance vehicles from any other nation.”
He stated that the intelligence community thinks the objects were “probably balloons attached to private companies, recreation or research institutions.”
They may have been detected as a result of the enhanced radar in reaction to the Chinese balloon. He said, adding that his team was developing new parameters for launching missiles against such aircraft.
We are not interested in a fresh Cold War.
The president stated that he makes no apologies for defending American airspace. And that the United States will enhance its ability to detect unmanned aircraft in its airspace.
However, he stated, “We do not seek a fresh Cold War with China.”
“I hope we can get to the bottom of this,” Trump said of his airship discussion with Xi Jinping. But I make no apologies for bringing that balloon down.”
Beijing claims the 60-meter-tall (200-foot-tall) balloon was used to monitor weather conditions. But Washington insists it was a surveillance balloon with a massive undercarriage holding electronic components.
It has also asserted that the United States has flown ten objects over its airspace, which the United States disputes.