In a recent speech, US President Joe Biden reassured the audience that the US is not interested in starting a cold war with China. He also stated that he plans to discuss the recent balloon incident with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Biden highlighted the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between US and Chinese diplomats and military officials, especially after the downing of a Chinese balloon by the US Air Force earlier this month.
No Cold War
Biden stressed that the US is not seeking a new Cold War despite the recent spike in tensions between Washington and Beijing. He referred to the original Cold War as a geopolitical standoff between the US and the Soviet Union, which lasted from shortly after World War II until the collapse of the USSR in 1991. During that period, the two superpowers worked to undermine each other through espionage, economic restrictions, propaganda, and other means. Biden emphasized that the US is not interested in a similar confrontation with China.
Balloon Incident
Biden confirmed that he plans to discuss the recent balloon incident with Xi. The US president didn’t specify when the conversation would take place. He also made it clear that he doesn’t apologize for shooting down the balloon, which the US claimed was a spying device. China, on the other hand, denies these allegations, stating that the balloon was a civilian craft blown off course by strong winds.
Postponed Visit and Sanctions
The balloon incident has led to the postponement of a visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Furthermore, Washington has imposed sanctions against several Chinese firms and research institutes involved in the country’s balloon program. The US Senate passed two resolutions condemning Beijing’s alleged conduct, and China’s National People’s Congress responded by blaming American lawmakers for deliberately exaggerating the “China threat.”
Conclusion
Biden’s comments on the balloon incident and the US-China relationship highlight the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to prevent further tensions. The US is not interested in starting a cold war with China, but it’s clear that both countries have different perspectives on the balloon incident. Hopefully, dialogue between the two countries can lead to a resolution and better relations between the US and China.