China claims balloon over Montana is just for weather research

China's Foreign Ministry today issued a new statement stating that the

balloon

the United States suspects of conducting surveillance over the Midwest is

just

a

weather

balloon

used for

research

. Beijing says the civilian blimp deviated from its planned course due to what they say was American wind. However, officials are racing to track this balloon and ABC's M Wynn brings us the latest that China is now seizing the high-altitude balloon flying over sensitive northern US airspace, referring to it as a civilian airship used for

research

, primarily meteorological purposes. Beijing says it veered far off its planned course due to winds, but U.S. officials told ABC News that the balloon appears to have steering capability.

Images captured above Montana Skies show the balloon the United States suspects is conducting surveillance with a payload that is about the size of three buses. Officials say it is well above commercial airspace. and poses no current military or physical threat to people on the globe. It seems so brazen and so crazy to me that a US official would confirm that the balloon has overshot and will proceed over nuclear and missile facilities. Experts say Chinese satellites could collect everything this balloon could, if not improve it, sparking a revolt at the White House as officials consider options for bringing down the balloon.

President Biden was briefed on the situation and agreed with recommendations from military leaders against shooting down the balloon due to the risks they may pose to American civilians if the missile fails or even if the missile hits the balloon, it could sending hot shrapnel into civilian areas in the Capitol. Mounting political pressure on Biden from Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke tweeted to take him down. Officials told ABC this. It's not the first time China has done something like this, although it is unusual how the balloon flies over the continental US and can remain over an area while Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced he is delaying his planned trip to China. said a US official.

They didn't want this balloon activity to dominate the meeting M1 ABC News Washington