Matt_The_RocketMan
Well-Known Member
The object flew over Alaska's Aleutian Islands and through Canada before appearing over the city of Billings in Montana on Wednesday, according to officials.
Montana is home to some of the US's nuclear missile silos.
The US decided not to shoot down the balloon because of the danger posed by falling debris, and the limited use of any intelligence the device could gather, a US defence official said.
However, the government prepared fighter jets in case the object had to be shot down.
The Chinese statement said the balloon had been blown off-course by unexpected winds.
"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 statement referred to the incident as an "unexpected situation" and said Beijing would continue to communicate with the US side.
Montana is home to some of the US's nuclear missile silos.
The US decided not to shoot down the balloon because of the danger posed by falling debris, and the limited use of any intelligence the device could gather, a US defence official said.
However, the government prepared fighter jets in case the object had to be shot down.
The Chinese statement said the balloon had been blown off-course by unexpected winds.
"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 statement referred to the incident as an "unexpected situation" and said Beijing would continue to communicate with the US side.