Vietnam desires US and China to solve air balloon incident through dialogue
VOV.VN - 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.
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.