Why do you say the United States "overreacted" to shooting down a Chinese unmanned airship?

(International Observation) Why is it said that the United States "overreacted" to shooting down the Chinese unmanned airship?

　　China News Agency, Beijing, February 19.

　　China News Agency reporter Bo Wenwen

　　Recently, the U.S. military shot down a Chinese unmanned airship that strayed into the United States due to force majeure, which has aroused widespread concern.

The Chinese side stated that the US used force to attack the Chinese civilian unmanned airship, which was an obvious "overreaction".

High-altitude operations in various countries are normalized

　　According to the previous statement of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the airship came from China and is of a civilian nature, used for scientific research such as meteorology.

Affected by the westerly wind and its own control ability is limited, the airship seriously deviated from the scheduled route.

China regrets that the airship strayed into the United States due to force majeure.

　　Zhu Yaochun, deputy secretary-general of the China Air Transport Association, told reporters from China News Agency that at present, the frequency of high-altitude operations in countries around the world continues to increase, showing a trend of normalization.

"Similar incidents occur from time to time, and most of them are properly managed and handled through strengthening international communication and coordination and cooperation."

Does not pose a military or personal threat

　　Kong Dejian, a researcher at the Aviation and Space Law Research Center of China University of Political Science and Law, analyzed that according to international practice or the principle of international customary law that "no force shall be used against civil aircraft", the civilian unmanned airship did not pose an immediate danger to the United States. Under the circumstances, the need for the US government to shoot it down is not sufficient.

　　"When the U.S. Department of Defense admits that 'this airship will not pose a military or personal threat to ground personnel', the U.S. should try to avoid using force against it," Kong Dejian pointed out.

　　Kong Dejian also believes that according to Article 25 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clearly stated that the civilian unmanned airship has lost effective control, and its status as a civil aircraft is an "aircraft in distress". The United States should have taken appropriate assistance measures instead of shooting it down.

Indiscriminate use of force violates international practice

　　"The Chinese civilian unmanned airship strayed into the U.S. airspace because of an accident or accident caused by force majeure, and it will not pose any threat to personnel." Zhu Yaochun believes that the U.S. insists on abusing force against the Chinese civilian unmanned airship that is about to leave the U.S. airspace. It is legal, unreasonable, and obviously overreacted, seriously violating the spirit of international laws such as the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and seriously violating international practices.

　　Zhu Yaochun pointed out that when a civil unmanned aircraft strays into the airspace of another country due to force majeure, according to international practice, it often establishes a liaison mechanism to strengthen cooperative international communication, and properly handles it in a calm, professional and restrained manner in a non-forced manner. .

　　"The China Aviation Association calls for strengthening international cooperation, working together to promote the development and application of the unmanned aerial vehicle industry, improving the well-being of the people of all countries, and working together to create a better future for mankind." Zhu Yaochun said.

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