WASHINGTON: The US Coast Guard on Monday imposed a temporary security zone in waters off South Carolina during the military’s search for debris from a suspected Chinese spy balloon, shot down by a US fighter jet, while the White House said it would keep a calm approach to relations with Beijing.

President Biden told reporters it was always his view that the balloon needed to be shot down and brushed off a question about whether the incident would weaken US-China ties.

“No. We made it clear to China what we’re going to do. They understand our position. We’re not going to back off. We did the right thing and it’s not a question of weakening or strengthening — it’s reality.”

White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby said the balloon’s flight over the US had done nothing to imp­rove tense relations with China and dismissed Bei­jing’s contention it was for meteorological purposes.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre nevertheless said the US approach to relations with China would remain calm and it was up to China to decide whether it wanted to build on a meeting between Mr Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping last November.

Beijing condemned the shooting down of the balloon as an “obvious overreaction” and urged Wash­ington to show restraint.

Asked whether China had asked the US to return the debris from the downed balloon, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the balloon belonged to China. “This balloon is not American. The Chinese government will continue to defend its legitimate rights and interests,” she said.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2023