China condemns Biden's remarks on Xi Jinping's 'apparent problems'

Beijing condemned on Thursday February 9 US President Joe Biden'sBiden's comments that Xi Jinping faced enormous problems, the latest rhetorical salvo between the United States and China came after last week's downing of a Chinese balloon which Washington said was part of a spy fleet that spanned five continents.

After a brief warming after a November G 20 meeting between Biden and Xi, the US-China relations have plunged again, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling off a visit to Beijing over balloon fracas.

The US has claimed that the high-altitude device - which crossed directly over at least one sensitive US military site - was intended for espionage.

China denies the claims, arguing that it was a weather observation craft that blew off course.

On Wednesday, Washington said the balloon was part of a fleet, adding that they had been spotted around the world for several years and urged allies to step up their vigilance.

In an interview with PBS NewsHour on the same day, Biden defended the decision to shoot it down and stressed that the US is not looking for conflict with China.

He said Xi had enormous problems, including an economy that is not functioning very well. Can you think of any other world leader who's trade places with Xi Jinping? Biden said I can't think of one.

Mao Ning, a foreign ministry spokesperson, told a regular briefing that Beijing was strongly dissatisfied with this type of rhetoric from the US, which is extremely irresponsible and runs counter to basic diplomatic etiquette, Mao said, saying that the balloon shot down last week was part of a naval war against China.

Mao said that the United States disregards China's repeated explanations and communications, excessive reaction and misuse of force are irresponsible.

The international community can see very clearly what the world's biggest country of surveillance and espionage is.