China: Stop “Smearing” Us Over Off-Course Balloon

From the spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry:

Regarding the unintended entry of a Chinese unmanned airship into US airspace due to force majeure, the Chinese side has verified it and communicated it to the US side.

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.

This is entirely an 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 has never violated the territory or airspace of any sovereign country.

Some politicians and media in the US have hyped it up to attack and smear China. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to that.

“That’s no balloon…. it’s a space station!” pic.twitter.com/71AIghjgvs

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) February 4, 2023