China says it reserves right to respond to downing of surveillance balloon

The balloon's flight over the U.S. added tension to the U.S.-China relationship.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Libby Cathey, Meredith Deliso, Stephanie Guerilus , and Bill Hutchinson
Last Updated: February 5, 2023, 7:05 PM EST

A massive Chinese surveillance balloon that moved across the continental U.S. this week has been shot down.

The Pentagon has confirmed the balloon was being used for surveillance, disputing China's claim that it was a civilian aircraft used for meteorological purposes. Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the balloon didn't pose a physical or military threat, and once it was detected, the U.S. took steps to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information.

The FBI is expected to take custody of any recovered components of the balloon and ship them to its lab in Quantico, Virginia, for analysis and intelligence gathering, a senior government official told ABC News.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a planned trip to China as the balloon's presence over the continental U.S. added new tension to the U.S.-China relationship. Blinken called the balloon a "clear violation" of U.S. sovereignty and international law.

Top headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Feb 03, 2023, 11:10 AM EST

While Blinken trip postponed, sources say China’s statements going over well

While Secretary of State Blinken's planned trip to China has been postponed, according to a U.S. official, sources at the State Department say China's public statements are going over well and that they're pleased with what they perceive as a conciliatory tone.

China's foreign affairs ministry called the balloon a civilian airship used "mainly meteorological purposes." The ministry said the balloon's course deviated from its original path and it "regrets the unintended entry of the airship into US airspace."

Chinese flag.
Lucas Schifres/Getty Images

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford

Feb 03, 2023, 11:00 AM EST

Balloon is at an altitude of 60,000 feet: US official

A U.S. official said Friday the balloon was at an altitude of 60,000 feet, which is why officials have said it’s not a threat to civilian aviation that maxes out at lower altitudes.

The official also said the balloon does appear to have some maneuverability, meaning it's not just drifting through the sky.

--ABC News' Luis Martinez

Feb 03, 2023, 10:51 AM EST

Biden doesn’t take any questions about balloon as he talks economy

President Biden declined to take any questions about what U.S. officials call a Chinese surveillance balloon as he discussed the latest jobs report on Friday morning.

"If you want to ask me a question about the economy, but I'm not going to answer any questions about anything else because you never will cover this," Biden said.

Reporters shouted several questions about the balloon as Biden exited the South Court Auditorium but he didn't stop to answer them.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks about the January 2023 jobs report in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House in Washington, Feb. 3, 2023. US job gains surged unexpectedly last month.
President Joe Biden, with Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Cecilia Rouse left, and Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese, speaks about the January 2023 jobs report in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House in Washington, Feb. 3, 2023. US job gains surged unexpectedly last month.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Feb 03, 2023, 10:26 AM EST

Pentagon to hold press briefing at noon

Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder will conduct an on-camera press briefing at noon on Friday as the Biden administration faces questions about what U.S. officials call a Chinese surveillance balloon flying over the U.S.

Ryder said in a statement Thursday that the government was tracking the balloon and that it didn't present a military threat.

"Instances of this kind of balloon activity have been observed previously over the past several years. Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information," Ryder said.

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