China said the "airship" flying over the United States was intended for civilian, meteorological and other scientific purposes, and expressed regret that it had entered American airspace, BTA reported.

Yesterday, the Pentagon announced that a Chinese spy balloon had been flying over the United States for several days, calling it a brazen act just days before Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's planned visit to Beijing.

A Chinese reconnaissance balloon flies near a US military base

Today, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will continue to maintain contact with the United States to prevent unexpected situations.

"The airship is from China, it is civilian, it is used for meteorological and other scientific research. Due to strong winds and limited ability to control it, the airship deviated from the intended course," the statement said. 

China

US military base

inflated balloon