China said Friday it is looking into reports that a Chinese spy balloon has been flying in U.S. airspace and urged calm. Adding that it has “no intention of violating the territory and airspace of any sovereign country.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also said she had no information about whether. A trip to China by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken planne for next week will proceed as schedule.
At a daily briefing, Mao said that politicians and the public should withhold judgment. Before we have a clear understanding of the ” about the spy balloon reports.
China says it is looking into the report of a spy balloon over U.S. airspace
Blinken would be the highest-ranking member of President Joe Biden’s administration to visit China. Arriving amid efforts to mitigate a sharp downturn in relations. Between Beijing and Washington over trade, Taiwan, human rights and China’s claims in the South China Sea.
“China is a responsible country and has always strictly abided by international laws, and China has no intention of violating the territory and airspace of any sovereign country.
“As for Blinken’s visit to China, I have no information,” she said.
China says it is looking into the report of a spy balloon over U.S. airspace
A senior defense official told Pentagon reporters that the U.S. has “very high confidence” that the object was a Chinese high-altitude balloon and was flying over sensitive sites to collect information.
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the balloon is “currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground.
Ryder said similar balloon activity has been seen in the past several years and the government has taken steps to ensure no sensitive information was stolen.
The defense official said the U.S. has “engage” Chinese officials through multiple channels and communicated the seriousness of the matter.
Blinken’s visit was expecte to start this Sunday in an effort to try to find common ground on issues from trade policy to climate change.
The senior defense official said the U.S. prepare fighter jets, including F-22s. Shoot down the balloon if ordere. The Pentagon ultimately recommende against it, noting that even as the balloon was over a sparsely populate area of Montana. Its size would create a debris field large enough that it could have put people at risk.
All air traffic was halte at Montana’s Billings Logan International Airport from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, as the military provide options to the White House.
A photograph of a large white balloon lingering over the area was capture by The Billings Gazette. The balloon drifting in and out of clouds and had what appeare. A solar array hanging from the bottom, said Gazette photographer Larry Mayer.
The balloon’s appearance adds to national security concerns among lawmakers over China’s influence. The U.S. ranging from the prevalence of the hugely popular smartphone. TikTok to purchases of American farmland.