Focus on Arts and Ecology

February 3, 2023 

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday that it regretted the unintended entry of a Chinese civilian airship into U.S. airspace due to force majeure, an unforeseeable circumstance.

"It is a civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological, purposes. Affected by the Westerlies and with limited self-steering capability, the airship deviated far from its planned course," said a ministry spokesperson in a statement. 

China also said it always acts in accordance with international law and has no intention of violating the territory or airspace of any sovereign country. 

Breaking down the situation:

· The remarks come after the U.S. on Thursday said it was tracking a suspected surveillance balloon over the state of Montana

· Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said it was "traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground"

· According to the latest reports from the Pentagon, the balloon has changed course and is now floating eastward at about 60,000 feet (18,300 meters) above the central part of country, adding it would likely remain over the United States for a few more days

· The U.S. government has been tracking the balloon for several days as it made its way over the northern United States, according to the Pentagon 

· The U.S. is not considering shooting the balloon down due to fear the debris could pose a safety threat to the people on ground

China has often complained about surveillance by the United States, including its deployment of ships or planes near Chinese military exercises. China said it will continue communicating with the U.S. side and properly handle this unexpected situation.

(Sources: China Report)