Mahesh Jethmalani takes a jibe at China after US Secretary of State postpones China visit

Taking a dig at China, Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Jethmalani said on Saturday that United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip was postponed after a Chinese surveillance balloon was spotted in Montana where a nuclear silo field is situated. He furr said that China claimed that reason to send spy balloon was for meteorological research and strayed course. He asked if statement by China could be considered or not.

Taking to Twitter he said, "A Chinese spy balloon over US has led Secretary of State Antony Blinken to postpone a visit to China. balloon was over Montana where a nuclear silo field is located. Pentagon calls it a surveillance threat. China claims it was for meteorological research and strayed course. Any takers?"

Antony Blinken postpones China visit

Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed his planned trip to China on Friday after discovery of a high-altitude Chinese balloon flying over sensitive places in western United States. Defending his decision, Blinken said first task at ir disposal was to get Chinese spy balloon out from country which is hovering over its sky. 

While interacting with reporters, he said, "Job one is getting it out of our airspace. We continue to believe that having open lines of communication is important. Indeed, this incident only underscores importance, and that's why we will maintain m. That's why, when conditions permit, I plan to go to China. But most important thing right now is to see that this surveillance asset gets out of our airspace, and we'll take it from re."

China's response on Blinken's decision

On Saturday, China called for “cool-heed and prudent” handling of situation that arouse after surveillance balloon was spotted in United States.

Also while responding to Blinken's decision of postponing his visit to China, Foreign Ministry of China said, "Maintaining contact and communication at all levels is an important common understanding reached by Chinese and US presidents at ir meeting in Bali. One of tasks of diplomatic teams on both sides is to properly manage bilateral relations, particularly to manage some unexpected situations in a cool-heed and prudent manner.”