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THE BOTTOM LINE

China must repair damage from its burst balloon

Their actions caused the diplomatic crisis; it’s now up to the Chinese leaders to take the first step to salvage ties with the US. 

    • With China’s economy reeling and relations with neighbours and countries in Europe strained, restraint and prudence are in its own interests.
    • With China’s economy reeling and relations with neighbours and countries in Europe strained, restraint and prudence are in its own interests. REUTERS

    Minxin Pei

    Published Mon, Feb 6, 2023 · 03:02 PM

    AFTER US jet fighters took out a Chinese “spy balloon” that had slowly traversed the country last week, the idea of stabilising relations between the two superpowers might seem naive and quixotic. Yet the two sides still need to try – and China must take the first step.

    The bizarre incident has undoubtedly made any rapprochement harder.

    Republicans have blasted US President Joe Biden for not shooting down the balloon immediately. The atrocious optics forced US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to postpone a long-awaited trip to Beijing. Chinese officials professed to be outraged by the downing of what they claimed was a “civilian airship”.

    US-China relationsThe Bottom Line

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