China's view on the spy balloon | Are sanctions strangling aid to Syria?

This week, the Chinese government accused the U.S of sending 10 high-altitude balloons into its airspace in the past year. This came after the U.S shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon earlier this month, and amid U.S. accusations that China operates a fleet of spy balloons around the world. Both governments have denied the allegations of surveillance being levelled against them. Analysts say that these events have huge implications for the long-term relationship between the two global superpowers. This week on Nothing is Foreign, we get the view from Beijing on how the diplomatic crisis unfolded. Plus, a look at the challenges of getting aid into heavily sanctioned rebel-held Northwestern Syria after the devastating earthquake of February 6. Will easing sanctions speed the flow of aid — or will it help prop up President Bashar al-Assad's regime? Featuring: Lingling Wei, China chief correspondent, the Wall Street Journal. Monzer Al-Salal, with the Stabilization Support Unit, a non-governmental organization based in Syria. Alena Douhan, UN special rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059