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Suspected surveillance balloon is maneuverable, according to Pentagon press secretary
From CNN's Haley Britzky
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said on Friday that the US Defense Department knows the suspected surveillance balloon floating over the northern US “has the ability to maneuver.”
“The balloon is maneuverable, clearly it's violated US air space, and again we’ve communicated that fact to the [People’s Republic of China],” Ryder said.
The spokesperson did not indicate any details on how it can be maneuvered.
Ryder said the balloon is assessed to be at about 60,000 feet above the ground.
Sources familiar with the matter previously told CNN that the balloon’s movement relies primarily on the jet stream. Ryder added on Friday that the balloon “has changed its course which, again, is why we’re monitoring it.”
Chinese officials said on Friday that the balloon is a “civilian airship” used for research that “deviated far from its planned course.”
Pentagon: Chinese "surveillance" balloon violates US airspace and is "unacceptable"
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the US has conveyed to the People's Republic of China (PRC) that the balloon traveling over the United States violates US airspace and international law.
"We know that balloon has violated US airspace and international law — which is unacceptable. And we've conveyed this directly to the PRC on multiple levels," he told reporters Friday.
The Pentagon rejected China's claims that the balloon that entered the US was a "civilian airship" for research that deviated from course.
"The fact is, we know that it's a surveillance balloon, and I'm not going to be able to be more specific than that," he said, noting the information is classified.
Pentagon believes balloon would create "significant" debris field and potentially hurt people if shot down
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder explained why officials have assessed it would be dangerous to shoot down the suspected Chinese spy balloon flying over the continental United States.
"In terms of the size, I'm not able to get into the specifics other than to say that it is big enough that, again, in reviewing our approach, we do recognize that any potential debris field would be significant and potentially cause civilian injuries or deaths, or significant property damage," Ryder told reporters during a briefing at the Pentagon.
"This is part of the calculus in terms of our overall assessment, but again, we'll continue to monitor it, we'll continue to review our options, and keep you updated as able."
Suspected Chinese spy balloon expected to be over the US "for a few days," Pentagon says
The suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon is expected to remain above the US for a couple days, according to Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
"Right now, we assess that it will probably be over the United States for a few days. But we'll continue to monitor and review our options and keep you updated as we can," he said at a press briefing.
Ryder earlier said he was unable to give a specific location, but the balloon is above the central continental US right now and moving eastward.
Pentagon press secretary says there's been no change in keeping open communication with China
"Nothing has changed" in regard to keeping an open line of communication with China, according to Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, after officials told CNN that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a planned trip to Beijing in response to the suspected Chinese spy balloon.
"I think we've been very clear that we're always open to maintaining an open line of communication with the PRC (People's Republic of China). And in that regard, nothing has changed. Nothing," Ryder said to reporters.
Pentagon rejects China's claim that balloon is a civilian research airship
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder flatly denied the Chinese government's claim that the balloon traveling over the continental United States serves a civilian research purpose.
"We are aware of the (People's Republic of China)'s statement," Ryder said at a press briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
"However, the fact is, we know that it's a surveillance balloon. And I'm not going to be able to be more specific than that," the spokesperson said.
"We do know that the balloon has violated US air space and international law, which is unacceptable," Ryder added. "And so we've conveyed this directly to the PRC at multiple levels."
Pentagon: Chinese balloon does't present threat at this time as we continue to monitor
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said North American Aerospace Defense Command continues to monitor the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon closely.
It continues to move eastward and is over the central of the continental US, he added.
"Again, we currently assess that balloon does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground at this time, and we'll continue to monitor and review options," Ryder said.
NOW: The Pentagon is holding a media briefing
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder is holding a news conference as officials track a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon over the northern United States.
The briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, comes shortly after word that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed a trip to China in response to the balloon sighting.
Canada summons Chinese ambassador over suspected spy balloon
From CNN’s Paula Newton in Ottawa
Canada says it has summoned China’s ambassador to explain why a surveillance device entered Canadian airspace. A spokesperson for Global Affairs says Canada would like China to explain why and how its high-altitude monitoring device entered its airspace.
“Yesterday, China’s Ambassador to Canada was summoned by officials at Global Affairs Canada regarding the situation described in the statement issued by Canada’s Department of National Defence. We will continue to vigorously express our position to Chinese officials through multiple channels,” says Jason Kung, as a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada in a statement provided to CNN.
In a statement Thursday, Canada’s Department of National Defence confirmed it had detected the monitoring device and said it continues to track the surveillance balloon along with NORAD and its US counterparts.
“Canadians are safe and Canada is taking steps to ensure the security of its airspace, including the monitoring of a potential second incident. NORAD, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, and other partners have been assessing the situation and working in close coordination,” reads the statement in part.
CNN has asked for clarification regarding the "second incident" mentioned in the statement but the Canadian government says it does not yet have any more information to share at this time.
