FILE PHOTO: US President Joe Biden listens during a meeting of the White House Competition Council in the East Room of the White House in Washington, US, February 1, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said on Monday that relations between Washington and Beijing were not weakened by the United States’ downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the weekend.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Biden said it was always his view that the balloon needed to be shot down “as soon as it was appropriate.”
Asked if the balloon incident weakens US-China relations, Biden said: “No. We made it clear to China what we’re going to do. They understand our position. We’re not going to back off.”
Biden continued: “We did the right thing and it’s not a question of weakening or strengthening – it’s reality.”