Vietnam Hopes US and China to Solve Air Balloon Incident Through Dialogue

Deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet

The nations hopes that the United States and China will continue to resolve disagreements through dialogue and on the basis of the UN Charter and international law, thereby contributing to peace, stability, co-operation, and development in the region, as well as the wider world.

Doan Khac Viet, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the statement at a routine press briefing held on February 9, when asked about Vietnamese views regarding the recent air balloon incident between the US and China.

This comes after the US media reported that a US fighter jet had shot down a Chinese hot air balloon that had been flying over US airspace in the area off the Carolinas in the Atlantic Ocean on the afternoon of February 4 (local time).

The incident served to increase tensions between Washington and Beijing. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin called the decision to shoot down the balloon a "deliberate and lawful act" in response to China's "unacceptable violation" of US sovereignty, according to the VOV.

Meanwhile, Beijing explained that this was a civilian airship used for meteorological research that had strayed in a "force majeure" situation.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, this was an unintended incident that did not constitute a danger to either national security or to the American people.

When dealing with such incidents the US side needs to handle it satisfactorily in a calm, professional manner without the use of force, with the US use of force clearly showing that it has overreacted, it said.

The Chinese balloon falls after being shot down by a US fighter jet off the coast of Carolina on February 4 afternoon. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Earlier, the US media reported that a Chinese balloon entered the US airspace and was shot down by a US fighter jet off the coast of Carolina, over the Atlantic Ocean, on February 4 afternoon (local time).

On February 3, the Foreign Ministry of China said the unintended entry of the “airship” into US airspace was due to force majeure, and that the balloon is used for scientific research, mainly meteorological research.

“Due to the influence of westerly winds and its limited self-control capability, the airship deviated from its intended course,” the Chinese ministry added.

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