Chinese's FM Comments on Unintended Entry of Chinese Unmanned Airship into US Airspace

On Saturday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson commented on the Unintended Entry of a Chinese Unmanned Airship into US Airspace Due to Force Majeure

In press remarks, the spokesperson said that the airship is from China. 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.

The Chinese side regrets the unintended entry of the airship into US airspace due to force majeure. The Chinese side will continue communicating with the US side and properly handle this unexpected situation caused by force majeure.

The incident came just days before a scheduled visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken aimed at managing heightened tensions between the two powers.

The visit will mark the first trip to the Asian country by the United States’ top diplomat since 2018.

Beijing did not immediately identify the balloon’s Chinese origins at a foreign ministry news briefing on Friday.

It made the admission later, saying the civilian craft was blown off course.

“Affected by the Westerlies and with limited self-steering capability, the airship deviated far from its planned course,” the statement said.

“The Chinese side will continue communicating with the US side and properly handle this unexpected situation caused by force majeure,” it said.