“Can you think of any other world leader who would like to trade places with (Chinese president) Xi Jinping? I can’t think of any”said Joe Biden, the US president, in an interview with the PBS NewsHour program.
His statement came after the United States shot down an alleged spy balloon flying over North America, which China said was a civilian balloon for meteorological purposes.
“This man (Xi Jinping) has huge problems,” mainly “an economy that is not doing very well,” Biden said, adding, however, that Xi “also has great potential.”
Fighter plane shoots down Chinese spy balloon over US; Joe Biden congratulates the military for the action
China took issue with the US president’s comments, rejecting the accusations about the balloon.
“These words from the United States are totally irresponsible and violate the basic rules of diplomatic etiquette,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Thursday.
“China expresses its deep discontent and firm rejection,” the spokeswoman reiterated.
Ning supported China’s position on the purpose of the balloon: “The United States says that this balloon was part of an alleged fleet […] What is likely is that these statements are part of a war of opinion against China”, he said, stating that it was a civilian artifact.
Beijing says that the balloon issue is used by the US press and politicians to ‘smear’ the Asian giant
“The international community knows very well who is the world champion in espionage and surveillance,” the spokeswoman said, referring to the United States.
China’s Defense Ministry also said shooting down the balloon was an “irresponsible act” that did not create a “climate conducive to dialogue.” (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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