Beijing has tried to explain how a suspected spy balloon entered the United States, with President Joe Biden copping backlash over his refusal to answer questions on the situation.
"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," a spokesperson said in response to a question about the balloon.
He argued the aircraft had"the ability to manoeuvre" and was tracking towards the east and arrived at the centre of the States on Friday at about 60,000ft. He had been in touch with Beijing's highest diplomat Wang Yi prior to the incident, as a senior US department official clarified communication with Beijing remained open.
US President Joe Biden, who had been advised against shooting the balloon down due to debris fears, was on Friday quizzed at a press conference on the economy about the situation but he refused to answer questions on the matter. Top Republicans in Congress slammed President Biden for not providing more information and argue it showed his administration were not deterring China.
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