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Chinese blimp seen over US airspace. Photo/Chase Doak
WASHINGTON – Chinese balloon detected over the United States (US) may leave the East Coast on Saturday (4/2/2023).
US media reported that, according to weather models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the high-altitude balloon could be off the East Coast of the United States “as early as Saturday morning”.
Meanwhile, two unnamed US defense officials confirmed this estimate to the media.
He added that the balloon is expected to reach the East Coast and move out to sea in the southeast.
On Thursday, the Pentagon announced the detection of a reconnaissance balloon thought to have originated in China over the US state of Montana.
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Beijing claims the balloon is a civilian aircraft engaged in scientific research.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the balloon was Chinese, however, it was not a spy balloon, as claimed by the US, but a civilian aircraft engaged in scientific research.
The plane flew off its planned course due to force majeure, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.
Beijing expressed regret over the balloon’s inadvertent entry into US airspace.
On Friday, the US State Department announced Secretary of State Antony Blinken would not be traveling to Beijing at a later date as originally planned because of the balloon incident.
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