“We will compete fully with China but (…) we are not looking for a conflict and that has been the case until now,” he said, according to fragments of an interview with PBS broadcast on Wednesday.
Biden seems to be trying to lighten the tension after an air force plane shot down a huge Chinese balloon that flew over much of the United States on Saturday, according to Washington, for espionage purposes.
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When asked if the incident has considerably damaged the relationship with China, Biden replied “no.”
China insists the balloon was conducting meteorological researchbut the Pentagon described it as a high-tech espionage operation.
The balloon was traveling at a much higher altitude than most airplanes and flew over at least one sensitive US military installation.
The entrance Biden assures that the United States “is not seeking a conflict” with China was first published on newspaper TODAY.
