U.S. President Joe Biden greets China’s President Xi Jinping in Woodside, Calif., prior to their meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.
(Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Relations between the U.S. and China have been particularly tense for the last few years. Can one summit between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping significantly improve relations?
In this photo provided by Chad Fish, a large balloon drifts above the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, on Feb. 4, 2023.
(Chad Fish via AP)
Chinese balloons must be assessed within the context of decades of mutual espionage and an awareness of the many storms in the U.S.-China relationship — and the history of empires.
Is it a bird? A plane? A suspected Chinese spy balloon?
Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
After shooting down a high-altitude Chinese balloon, the US has been on the alert for other aerial invaders.
In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it.
(Chad Fish via AP)
Despite China’s complaints about the United States shooting down its balloon, the U.S. was within its rights — and China has done the same thing in the past.