News / Foreign Policy / China

China says balloon flying over US is 'civilian airship' blown off course

Friday, 03 February 2023 5:04 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 03 February 2023 5:34 PM ]

This handout photo from Chase Doak taken on February 1, 2023 and released on February 2 shows a suspected Chinese balloon in the sky over Billings, Montana. (Photo by AFP)

China has hit back at US accusations over the balloon sighted flying over the United States, saying that the balloon is a civilian meteorological "airship" used for scientific research purposes.

In a statement late on Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry confirmed that "the airship is from China and is civilian in nature, used for meteorological and other scientific research. Due to the influence of westerly winds and its limited control capability, the airship deviated from its intended course."

The statement came after US officials accused China of allowing a “spy” balloon to fly over the United States, resulting in the postponement of the Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China.

The Chinese statement further expressed regret over the unintended incident and said that it would continue to maintain communications with the US.

"China regrets that the airship strayed into the United States by mistake due to force majeure. China will continue to maintain communication with the US side to properly handle this accident," it said.

US reports Pentagon tracking suspected Chinese 'spy' balloon over America

The Pentagon is tracking a suspected "spy" balloon of the Chinese government flying over the US.

Earlier, China acknowledged that Beijing had been informed about "a suspected spy balloon over the United States" and urged US officials to handle the matter "calmly".

Chinese officials first aimed to establish the facts about the balloon reports, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing on Friday.

The spokesperson emphasized that the Chinese have no intention of violating the territory and airspace of any sovereign state, adding that Beijing hopes Washington will resolve the issues calmly and prudently.

"Speculation and hype are not conducive until the facts are clear," the spokesperson insisted, noting that the Chinese side is "verifying" the situation.

The United States took "custody" of the balloon when it entered US airspace on Thursday and had observed it with piloted US military aircraft, a US official said.

US military commanders eventually advised against shooting down the balloon because of the risk to safety from debris, the US official said.

By way of background, China has repeatedly warned the US about its military and spying activities, including its deployment of ships or planes near Chinese military exercises.

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