Fri 03 February 2023:
China’s foreign ministry has expressed regret over what it called a civilian balloon straying into United States airspace.
In a statement on Friday, the ministry said the balloon suspected by the US of conducting surveillance was a civilian “airship” used for research, mainly for meteorological purposes.
The statement said the airship has limited steering capability and “deviated far from its planned course” because of winds.
The Pentagon had earlier said it was “tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon”.
Balloon: China says both sides will handle it with mutual calm and prudence#ChinaBalloon pic.twitter.com/GK2SWaSuPv
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) February 3, 2023
Earlier on, Pentagon says it is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon spotted over United States’ airspace, reviving tensions between the two powers just days before the top US diplomat’s visit to Beijing.
“The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters on Friday.
“The balloon is currently travelling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground.”
US alleges Chinese spy balloon flew over sensitive military sites#ChinaBalloon pic.twitter.com/4KREkjnKc9
— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) February 3, 2023
US officials claimed the balloon was flying over sensitive sites to collect information. There are reports military leaders decided against shooting it down over the state of Montana because of the risk of falling debris.
Montana is home to the Malmstrom Air Force Base, where there are some 150 silos for intercontinental ballistic missiles, including the nuclear-capable Minuteman III.
The US took “custody” of the balloon when it entered its airspace and had observed it with piloted US military aircraft, an official told Pentagon reporters on Thursday on condition of anonymity.
The Pentagon spokesperson said similar surveillance activity has been seen in the past few years, adding the US had taken steps to ensure the balloon did not collect sensitive information.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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