The PRC maintains the claim that the Chinese balloon seen over the northern United States is a civilian weather device.
“Regarding the unintentional entry of a Chinese unmanned aircraft into US airspace due to force majeure, the Chinese side has verified it and communicated it to the US side. It is a civil aircraft used for research purposes, mainly weather conditions,” said a foreign official. Ministry spokesman on Saturday. “Affected by westerly winds and with limited self-steering ability, the aircraft veered heavily from its planned course.”
SUSPICIOUS CHINESE SPY BALLOON COULD END OVER CAROLINAS LATER THIS WEEKEND IF BIDEN TAKES NO ACTION
The National Weather Service released photos Friday of a large balloon flying over Kansas City, Missouri, amid concerns about a Chinese spy balloon in US airspace.
(National Metereological Service)
China has claimed since the beginning of the international incident that the balloon was never intended to enter US airspace. This talking point was reiterated by the Foreign Ministry on Saturday.
“This is a completely unexpected situation caused by force majeure and the facts are very clear. China always acts in strict accordance with international law and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We have no intention to violate and have never violated the territory”. or airspace of any sovereign country”.
PENTAGON SAYS ANOTHER CHINESE SPY BALLOON TRAVELS OVER LATIN AMERICA
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, October 16, 2022.
(REUTERS/Tomas Pedro)
Now Chinese officials are accusing US lawmakers and the media of “hip[ing] raise” the balloon incorrectly.
“Some US politicians and media have exaggerated it to attack and smear China. The Chinese side is strongly opposed to that.”
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A balloon flies in the sky over Billings, Montana, on February 1, 2023, in this image obtained from social media.
(Returners)
A senior US Defense official told Fox News that the balloon was launched from mainland China. The Pentagon does not believe that it was a weather balloon that flew off course. There was no “force majeure” that caused the Chinese surveillance balloon to enter US airspace, as the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson claimed.
“This was intentional,” the senior US official said.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
