In relation to the recent ‘reconnaissance balloon (balloon)’ incident, the Chinese authorities sent a warning message to the South Korean government, which said it “supports the United States’ view,” attracting attention.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong (Vice Minister) met with Chinese Ambassador to China Jeong Jae-ho on the 14th and “clearly clarified China’s position on the US shooting down of a Chinese civilian drone.”
In particular, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, “Vice Minister Sun hoped that the South Korean side would make an objective, rational and fair judgment by clearly distinguishing between right and wrong.”
Earlier, on the 13th (local time), the deputy foreign ministers of the three countries held a joint press conference after the Vice-Ministerial Meeting held in Washington, DC, in response to China’s “reconnaissance balloon” invading U.S. airspace, saying, “Unacceptable sovereignty. Infringement,” he condemned with one voice.
In particular, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyeon-dong reaffirmed the South Korean government’s existing position that △infringement on the territorial sovereignty of other countries is absolutely unacceptable under international law and △the United States has the right to take necessary measures for its own security in accordance with international law. As such, we trust the official U.S. position on this matter.”
Takeo Mori, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, also said, “Japan supports the US position (about the Chinese ‘reconnaissance balloon’ incident)” and said that it would continue to communicate for related information collection and analysis.
For this reason, it is interpreted by diplomats that the disclosure of the fact that Vice Minister Sun met with Ambassador Jeong and conveyed the Chinese side’s position on the ‘reconnaissance balloon’ was conscious of the contents of the related press conference by the vice ministers of the three countries.
On the 28th of last month, the US government sent an air force fighter jet to shoot down the “reconnaissance balloon” that entered its airspace over Alaska and passed over the eastern coast of South Carolina and passed over the Atlantic Ocean on the 4th of this month.
Then, the Chinese authorities protested that the US side showed an “excessive reaction”, saying that it was not a “reconnaissance balloon” but a “meteorological observation equipment for a private company.” However, the U.S. government does not acknowledge this claim by China. Because of this incident, US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln ‘indefinitely postponed’ a visit to China originally scheduled for the 5th and 6th of this month.
Since then, the US government has expressed its intention to jointly respond with allies and friends, saying, “In recent years, Chinese ‘balloons’ have been found in various countries across five continents.”
Professor Park Won-gon of Ewha Womans University said, “It was already expected that China would put pressure on Korea,” in relation to the ‘reconnaissance balloon’ incident. . The battle between the US and China could be prolonged,” he predicted.
Professor Park said, “The United States will somehow bring up the ‘reconnaissance balloon’ issue first in meetings not only with Korea but also with (US) allies and allies.” “Korea needs to consistently maintain its current position.” He asked for a stern response.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.