Pentagon Press Sec To Brief Reporters On China

Pentagon Press Secretary Brig Gen Pat Ryder is shortly due to brief the press on the current state of intelligence surrounding the Chinese "spy" balloon.

• Livestream: https://www.defense.gov/News/Live-Events/#/?currentVideo=31128
• Ryder's presser will cap a hectic week which has exposed gaps in the approach to China taken by the executive and legislative branches of the US government.
• The Biden Administration has sought to downplay the severity of the balloon incident whilst postponing key diplomatic trips to China by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
• President Biden largely skirted the issue at his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, saying, “...if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did,” but didn't refer specifically the balloon.
• Congress has taken a far more hawkish line. The House passed a unanimous resolution condemning the CCP for its "brazen" surveillance activities and Senators from both parties have called for answers from the Biden Administration.
• Focus in the weeks ahead will be if China and US can take steps to better manage the bilateral relationship, potentially allowing for the re-scheduling of key diplomatic meetings.