A series of events, starting with the US accusing China of using a ‘spy balloon’, has led to the marring of the relations between the two. Reflecting the Chinese sentiments, commentators have posted offensive comments about the US on its social media platforms. State-backed Chinese social media accounts called out the US for frequently playing tricks and creating the “illusion” that it is eager to engage with China. This came days before a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
This is seen as a consequence of the February incident earlier this year where the US presumed Chinese ‘Spy balloon’ flew across the United States. News broke on Chinese social media about “Every time they say they want to meet, the United States plays a role and creates the false illusion that it is eager to communicate while at the same time repeatedly testing and provoking China’s fundamental principles,” wrote Yuyuan Tantian, a social media user, days ahead of Blinken’s visit this week.
The US officials, including Blinken himself, claimed that China had been spying on the US from Cuba for quite a period of time, and reformed its intelligence-gathering facilities ever since 2019. Beijing and Havana had claimed the allegations as false. Early last week, Blinken declared that China’s efforts in Cuba were part of a global effort to expand its presence overseas, and the U.S. actions in combating this began in 2021 when President Joe Biden came to power.
In response, his Chinese counterpart said that the ‘spy balloon’ claim was a “farce” and rejected the accusations.
The US is Hysteric!
On 13th June, the US added 43 entities, 31 from China, to its export control list for training Chinese military pilots and other activities that threaten U.S National Security. Wang Wenbin, the Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson, stated that “The United States was misusing its powers by continually quoting national security, to a point of “hysteria”
Augmenting the pessimism over Blinken’s visit to Beijing, a man on Tuesday sprayed painted anti-American graffiti on the wall and a gate of the US consulate in Hong Kong. Media footage showcased the word “hegemony” in English and the words “double standards” in simplified Chinese characters.
In conclusion, the US allegations of Chinese spying and China’s blunt criticism of Washington have worn out relations and have blackened the momentous visit.
References :
- China says US eagerness to engage is an ‘illusion’ (Reuters)
- US eagerness to engage is an ‘illusion’, says Chinese commentator (Firstpost)
Aayush Pal 
Balaji Subramanian 
Palak Dogra