Following the United States’ retaliatory decision to block dozens of flights to China, a representative from Beijing’s embassy in Washington told Sputnik that the Biden government’s decision to cancel 44 flights was irrational and the disruptions must be ended. Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the embassy, said: “It is highly unreasonable for the US to suspend the flights of Chinese airlines on this ground. We urge the US to stop disrupting and restricting normal passenger flights operated by Chinese airlines,” Sputnik reported.
The comment came after the US stated earlier in the day that 44 flights between the US and China had been halted to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Flights of Xiamen Airlines, China Southern Airlines Company and Air China are among the Chinese airlines whose planes to China will be discontinued from January 30. Furthermore, the US made this decision in response to the Chinese government’s attempt to fire some US aircraft due to COVID-19 issues.
The US-China conflict over flight suspension
The influx of travelers who tested positive for the COVID-19 disease had prompted China to cancel certain US planes bound for their country. Chinese authorities have suspended several Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines flights after several COVID-19 positive cases were found. The US says China’s actions have violated a treaty governing airline access to each other’s territories, the Associated Press reported.
In addition, Liu explained the move by the Chinese government to stop specific flights to China, noting in his statement that this was done to effectively limit the cross-border transmission of the novel coronavirus variant amid a significant increase in the number of copies imported. in China. He also added that China’s policy has been implemented fairly and transparently for both Chinese and international airlines.
Meanwhile, on the other hand, the Biden administration has regularly raised concerns about China’s so-called circuit breaker system, which the US Department of Transportation says violates an agreement regulating air traffic between the two countries.
