When US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Bali in November, they agreed that Blinken would travel to Beijing and follow up on their discussions.
During the press conference, Blinken says that the US government has worked to prepare the subsequent discussions.
On Friday, just days before the visit was to take place, the balloon was discovered.
- I spoke with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to convey that in light of China's unacceptable actions, I am postponing my planned trip to China, says Blinken.
He goes on to say that the US government acted immediately when the balloon was discovered and that measures were taken to protect against the collection of sensitive information.
- We continue to track and monitor the balloon closely.
We are convinced that this is a Chinese surveillance balloon.
"Irresponsible action"
Antony Blinken says that during the conversation with Wang Yi he made it clear that the presence of the surveillance balloon in American airspace is a clear violation of US sovereignty and international law.
- It is an irresponsible act and China's decision to take this action the night before my planned visit is detrimental to the substantive discussions we were prepared to have.
He says the US still has a diplomatic engagement with China.
- I plan to visit Beijing when conditions permit.