US officials also said they 'noted' China's statement of regret but said 'the presence of this balloon in our airspace is a clear violation of our sovereignty, as well as international law, and it is unacceptable that this has occurred'.
The US authorities said it now knows the object - spotted over Billings,on Wednesday, close to one of the US's three nuclear missile silo fields at Malmstrom Air Force Base - was a Chinese balloon flying over sensitive sites to collect information.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a high-profile visit to China which had been due to begin on Sunday.
Senior state department officials described the incident as a"clear violation of US sovereignty and international law" and said conditions were"not right at this moment" for Mr Blinken to travel. Mr Blinken was prepared to depart for China tonight before the trip was postponed, Sky News understands.Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video playerPentagon spokesman said that suspected Chinese spy balloon flying over the US has 'violated international law', adding that it doesn't pose any physical threat for people on the ground.admitted the balloon had come from China - but said it was for meteorological and other scientific research.
The Pentagon spokesperson said it is"monitoring the situation closely and will continue to review options".China responds to claims by the US that it has identified a Chinese 'surveillance balloon' over MontanaUS officials also confirmed military intelligence had previously seen similar surveillance balloons elsewhere.
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