China’s ‘spy balloon’ confession
The spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, in his usual press conference in Beijing, stated that the balloon belongs to China, that the civilian vehicle, affected by weather conditions, deviated from its planned route due to its limited controllability and entered China’s airspace. Latin American countries by mistake.
Spokesman Mao confirmed that this second balloon, after the balloon detected in US airspace, also belonged to China.
Stressing that China is a responsible country, bound by international law, and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, Mao argued that its activities do not pose a threat to any country.
Mao claimed that the balloon launched by the US was “an unexpected and isolated case” and that “the US. The US overreacted” and said: “This plane was also civilian, for meteorological and research purposes. Driven by westerly winds, it drifted off course. These are unexpected and isolated events that arise for compelling reasons.” saying.
Noting that they have informed the US side many times on the matter, Mao said, “We said that this is a civilian vehicle that went off course for weight reasons. The US Defense Department also said it did not pose a military or physical threat to people on the ground. Despite China’s call for the issue to be handled with calm and restraint, without the use of force, the United States overreacted to the unexpected and isolated incident. he said.
DETECTED OVER US AIRSPACE
The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced on February 3 that the high-altitude intelligence balloon allegedly belonging to China was flying over the US mainland and that the US military was following it.
The balloon was claimed to have passed over some sensitive military installations in the state of Montana, including long-range missile depots.
Underlining that they did not prefer to drop the balloon for security reasons, but reserved the option to intervene, defense officials reported that the US had warned its Chinese counterparts about the seriousness of the problem through the Embassy in Beijing. .
CHINA’S “WEATHER GLOBE” EXPLAINED
In the statement made by China, it was stated that the balloon was a Chinese civil aircraft, used for meteorological research, and accidentally entered US airspace when blown by the winds.
“The Chinese side regrets that the aircraft entered US airspace for unintentional forced reasons,” the statement said. statements were made.
DROPPED INTO US LAND WATERS
China’s statement did not satisfy Washington, and when the balloon rose over the Atlantic Ocean on the orders of President Joe Biden, it was shot down by US military warplanes in US territorial waters.
In US media news, it was reported that the “AIM-9X Sidewinder” type missile fired from the F-22 fighter jet hit the balloon. Videos showing that the struck balloon exploded in midair and the equipment connected to the balloon fell, appeared on television and on social media.
Work is reportedly continuing to collect the remaining debris from the balloon, which is said to be “the size of three school buses” and flew at an altitude of 60,000 feet. (AA)