Pentagon on Chinese balloon moving across U.S.: 'We know it's a surveillance balloon'
During a Pentagon briefing on Friday afternoon, Defense Department spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said a Chinese balloon that had been spotted by members of the public is a "surveillance balloon." Ryder also said the balloon was moving east over the "center of the continental United States."
Video Transcript
PAT RYDER: In regards to our announcement last night regarding the high-altitude surveillance balloon, I'm not gonna have much new information to provide other than to say that the North American Aerospace Defense Command continues to monitor it closely. While we won't get into specifics in regards to the exact location, I can tell you that the balloon continues to move eastward and is currently over the center of the Continental United States.
Again, we currently assess that the balloon does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground at this time. And we'll continue to review-- excuse me, continue to monitor and review options.
- China has said this is just a weather balloon that has veered off course. Why is the Pentagon convinced that this is a surveillance balloon?
PAT RYDER: First of all, we are aware of the PRC's statement. However, the fact is we know that it's a surveillance balloon. And I'm not gonna be able to be more specific than that. We do know that the balloon has violated US airspace and international law, which is unacceptable. And so we've conveyed this directly to the PRC at multiple levels. And in terms of specific locations, I'm not gonna be able to go into specific locations, again, other than to say it's moving eastward at this time.
