Last Update: February 03, 2023, 20:27 IST
In this photo obtained from social media, a balloon is seen flying in the sky over Billings, Montana, US on February 1, 2023. Chase Doak / via Reuters
A Chinese spy balloon has been flying over the United States for days, US officials said Thursday, in what would be a brazen act just days ahead of a planned visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
China said Friday that an “airship” flying over the United States is for civilian meteorological and other scientific purposes and expressed regret that it strayed into US airspace.
A Chinese spy balloon has been flying over the United States for days, US officials said Thursday, in what would be a brazen act just days ahead of a planned visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In a statement late Friday, China’s foreign ministry also said it would continue to maintain communication with the United States to properly handle the unforeseen 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 controllability, the airship deviated from its intended course.
“China regrets that due to an unforeseen incident, the airship accidentally strayed into the United States. China will continue to maintain contact with the US side to properly deal with this accident.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)