Vietnam expresses view on Chinese air balloon shot down over US airspace
Vietnam hopes the US and China will continue resolving disagreements via dialogue, a deputy spokesman of the Foreign Ministry said on February 9 regarding reports that a Chinese air balloon was spotted in the US airspace and shot down.
The Chinese balloon falls after being shot down by a US fighter jet off the coast of Carolina on February 4 afternoon. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam hopesthe US and China will continue resolving disagreements via dialogue, a deputyspokesman of the Foreign Ministry said on February 9 regarding reports that a Chinese air balloon was spotted in the US airspace andshot down.
Speaking at the Foreign Ministry’sregular press briefing, Deputy Spokesman Doan Khac Viet highlighted Vietnam’shope for the US and China to continue resolving disagreements via dialogue onthe basis of the United Nations Charter and international law, thuscontributing to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, anddevelopment.
“So far, we haven’t received anyreports by relevant agencies, the press, or people about high-altitude balloons spotted in Vietnam,” he added.
Earlier, the US media reported that aChinese balloon entered the US airspace and was shot down by a US fighter jet off the coast of Carolina, over the Atlantic Ocean, on February 4afternoon (local time).
On February 3, the Foreign Ministryof China said the unintended entry of the “airship” into US airspace was due to force majeure, and that theballoon is used for scientific research, mainly meteorological research.
“Due tothe influence of westerly winds and its limited self-control capability, the airshipdeviated from its intended course,” the Chinese ministry added./.
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The Chinese balloon falls after being shot down by a US fighter jet off the coast of Carolina on February 4 afternoon. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
