China maintains spy balloon is civilian, claims some in US ‘have hyped it up to attack and smear China’
The People’s Republic of China maintains the claim that the Chinese balloon seen over the northern United States is a civilian weather instrument.
A foreigner said, “Regarding China’s unmanned aerial vehicle unexpectedly entering US airspace, the Chinese side has verified and reported it to the US side. It is a civilian aircraft, Which is mainly used for research for meteorological purposes. “Affected by westerlies and with limited self-steering capability, the airship drifted far from its planned course,” a ministry spokesman said on Saturday.
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The National Weather Service posted pictures Friday of a large balloon flying over Kansas City, Missouri, amid concerns over a Chinese spy balloon in US airspace.
(National Weather Service)
China has claimed since the start of the international incident that the balloon never intended to enter US airspace. This was reiterated by the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday.
“This is an entirely unexpected situation caused by an unforeseen situation and the facts are very clear. China always acts strictly in accordance with international law and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We have no right to violate There is no intention and we have never violated the territory.” or airspace of a sovereign country.”
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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 on October 16, 2022 in Beijing, China.
(Reuters/Thomas Peter)
Now, Chinese officials are accusing US lawmakers and media outlets of “hype”.[ing] above” balloon incorrectly.
“Some politicians and media in the US have exaggerated this to attack and discredit China. The Chinese side strongly opposes this.”
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A balloon flies in the sky over Billings, Montana, February 1, 2023, in this photo obtained from social media.
(retuers)
A senior US defense official told Fox News that the balloon was launched from mainland China. the pentagon does not agree That it was a weather balloon that definitely blew up. As China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman claimed, there was no “unforeseen event” that caused the Chinese surveillance balloon to enter US airspace.
“It was done deliberately,” said the senior US official.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.