The Chinese government confirmed on Monday that a balloon sighted in Latin America belongs to the country and was described as having civil purposes. The device, similar to the one the United States forces said was dropped over the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, is claimed as Beijing’s property but was stated to be in China’s possession for civil use.
The incident marks the second time a balloon is said to have entered airspace across several nations, including Colombia. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the situation during press briefings, attributing the intrusion to weather conditions while stressing that China adheres to international law. He also stated that the balloon did not threaten any country and avoided answering specific questions about the exact reasons for the loss of control, noting that he was not an expert on the matter.
“Irresponsible”
The spokesman emphasized that the US response was unacceptable and irresponsible, portraying it as an isolated event from Beijing’s perspective. The remarks were reported by Bloomberg as part of ongoing coverage.
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Xie Feng delivered a message to the US Embassy in China, urging restraint from Washington and stating that China strongly opposes any conflict while reserving the right to take further steps if necessary. The official CGTN channel has not provided additional clarification on this point.
The United States Department of Defense confirmed a second Chinese balloon over Latin America on Friday night, with the Colombian Air Force corroborating sightings over the weekend. The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs later echoed China’s stance, condemning the destruction of the initial device.
Respect for international law
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby defended the restraint shown by the United States in shooting down the balloon, asserting that international law was observed. He stated that the United States acted to defend its homeland and sovereign airspace, pointing to the missile strike off the coast of South Carolina as evidence. He also remarked on the United States policy of learning from the mission to better protect national security.
China continues to argue that the balloon’s purpose was civilian, aimed at collecting weather data. Washington maintains that there is substantial evidence of espionage activity aimed at sensitive national security sites, a claim it has repeatedly pressed in public statements.
Despite the tensions, Kirby reiterated that the administration’s view of China as a key partner remains unchanged and that the United States does not seek a confrontation with Beijing. He underscored the importance of steady communication and the effort to avoid escalating conflict, especially in the context of high-level diplomacy.
Kirby also noted that relations between the United States and China have been tense even before the current incident. He highlighted the President’s intention to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 in Bali as a step toward reopening lines of communication that were curtailed after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
Three balloons in recent times
Kirby pointed out that during the prior administration, multiple Chinese balloons reportedly traversed U.S. airspace. He described those episodes as shorter in duration compared to the recent incidents. The existence of those flights was uncovered after the current administration took office, though details about prior awareness were not disclosed.
In public comments, Donald Trump stated that no Chinese spy balloons had flown over the United States during his tenure, a claim that has been the subject of extensive discussion and official inquiry.