Biden: Chinese surveillance balloon was unintentionally embarrassing.

President Biden Seeks to Improve US-China Relations Amidst Tensions

President Joe Biden is taking steps to address concerns about the strained relationship between the United States and China. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepares for his visit to Beijing this weekend, Biden aims to smooth over the “legitimate differences” between the two countries and rebuild diplomatic ties.

Biden expressed confidence that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping can repair their relationship, but he also emphasized that China must address its own internal challenges unrelated to the United States. He referred to a Chinese surveillance balloon that was discovered in U.S. airspace in February, stating that the incident was more embarrassing than intentional.

Blinken’s Visit and the Balloon Incident

Secretary Blinken’s visit to China comes after a delay caused by the discovery of the Chinese balloon. This trip marks Blinken’s first visit to China as secretary of state and aims to pave the way for regular meetings and discussions between the two nations.

The incident involving the Chinese-owned surveillance balloon occurred six months ago when it was spotted hovering over U.S. airspace in late January. The balloon was subsequently shot down on February 4, and the debris was collected for investigation by the FBI.

Lawmakers Call for Transparency

Lawmakers have urged President Biden to release the FBI’s findings regarding the balloon incident. They are seeking answers about how the balloon entered U.S. airspace and what information it may have gathered. Some Republicans have criticized Biden for his perceived inaction, accusing him of failing to address China’s threats to American security and sovereignty.

A group of GOP senators recently wrote to the president, highlighting China’s actions in addition to the balloon incident. They cited dangerous maneuvers against U.S. aircraft in the South China Sea, support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, harassment of American companies in China, and human rights violations. The senators called on Biden to stand up to Beijing’s coercion and release the FBI’s findings promptly.

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