Regarding a phone call requested by the US Department of Defense over a Chinese balloon that was shot down after flying over the US mainland, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said, ``The US's irresponsible and erroneous methods have not created an atmosphere for promoting dialogue and exchanges. The Chinese side admitted that it refused.
The Pentagon said on the 7th that it had requested a phone call between Defense Secretary Austin and China's Defense Minister Wei Fenghe regarding a Chinese balloon that was shot down after flying over the mainland of the United States, but was turned down by the Chinese side. bottom.
Regarding this, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei released a statement on the 9th, acknowledging that the Chinese side refused to hold a telephone conversation, saying, "The United States' irresponsible and wrong approach does not create an atmosphere to promote dialogue and exchanges." .
This time, the American side points out that the shot down balloon was used to monitor strategic bases.
In recent years, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, China has adopted a national strategy of “military-civilian fusion” to promote cooperation between the military and private companies. And this time, there is also a view that the military was involved.
However, a Chinese defense ministry spokesman said in a statement that the downed balloon was a "civilian unmanned airship" and denied the military's involvement.
He then reiterated the possibility of taking countermeasures, saying, ``China reserves the right to deal with similar situations using necessary means.''