China says balloon over US is civilian vessel blown off course
China claims balloon is civilian in nature, used for meteorological and other scientific research
03 February 2023 - 18:31
byReuters
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A balloon flies in the sky over Billings, Montana, US on February 1 2023. Picture: Chase Doak/via REUTERS
Beijing — China said on Friday an “airship” that is flying over the US is for civilian meteorological and other scientific purposes and voiced regret that it strayed into US airspace.
US officials said on Thursday that a Chinese spy balloon has been flying over the US for a couple of days, in what would be a brazen act just days ahead of a planned trip to Beijing by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In a statement late on Friday, China’s foreign ministry also said that it would continue to maintain communications with the US to properly handle the unexpected situation.
“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,” it said.
“China regrets that the airship strayed into the US by mistake due to force majeure. China will continue to maintain communication with the US side to properly handle this accident,” it said.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
China says balloon over US is civilian vessel blown off course
China claims balloon is civilian in nature, used for meteorological and other scientific research
Beijing — China said on Friday an “airship” that is flying over the US is for civilian meteorological and other scientific purposes and voiced regret that it strayed into US airspace.
US officials said on Thursday that a Chinese spy balloon has been flying over the US for a couple of days, in what would be a brazen act just days ahead of a planned trip to Beijing by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In a statement late on Friday, China’s foreign ministry also said that it would continue to maintain communications with the US to properly handle the unexpected situation.
“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,” it said.
“China regrets that the airship strayed into the US by mistake due to force majeure. China will continue to maintain communication with the US side to properly handle this accident,” it said.
Reuters
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