The PRC MoFA speaks on Balloongate: Every question and every answer so far

2023年2月3日外交部发言人毛宁主持例行记者会

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on February 3, 2023

美国有线电视新闻网记者：五角大楼官员表示，近几日一直密切监测一个他们确信是来自中国的高空侦查气球。

CNN: Pentagon officials said that over the past few days, they have been monitoring a high-altitude surveillance balloon that they believe is from China.

请问发言人能否证实有关情况？对此有何评论？

I wonder if you can confirm this and offer any comments.

该事件的披露会不会对预期中的美国国务卿布林肯访华计划或行程安排造成影响？会否影响布林肯同中国领导人的会面？

And will this revelation have any impact on the expected visit by Secretary Blinken to China and the program of the visit, including his expected meeting with the Chinese leader?

毛宁：我注意到有关报道，中方正在了解核实情况。

Mao Ning: I have noted relevant reports. We are gathering and verifying the facts.

关于布林肯国务卿访华，我目前没有可以发布的消息。

As to whether Secretary Blinken will visit China, I have nothing to offer at the moment.

美国有线电视新闻网记者：另一个相关的问题是，美国军方同时表示，来自中国的高空侦查气球出现在美国空域已经不是第一次了。他们多次希望通过各种渠道同中方保持沟通。

CNN: The US military has also said that it is not the first time that high-altitude surveillance balloons from China have been discovered in the US airspace and they have expressed the hope to maintain communication with the Chinese side via multiple channels.

但佩洛西访台后，中方切断了两军间的交流和沟通。

But after Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the Chinese side has suspended mil-to-mil talks with the US.

该事件是否体现恢复两军交流的重要性和紧迫性？发言人对此有何评论？

Does this incident highlight the importance and urgency of resuming China-US mil-to-mil talks?

毛宁：中国是负责任的国家，一贯严格遵守国际法，无意侵犯任何主权国家的领土领空。

Mao Ning: China is a responsible country and we always act in accordance with international law. We have no intention to violate the territory or airspace of any sovereign country.

刚刚我已经说了，我们正在了解核实情况，希望双方共同冷静谨慎处理。

As I said, we are gathering and verifying the facts. We hope both sides can handle the matter together in a cool-headed and prudent manner.

法新社记者：关于间谍气球，我想确认一下，根据外交部目前了解的情况，中方是否还期待布林肯访华？

AFP: With regard to the spy balloon, I would like to confirm that based on information the foreign ministry has gathered so far, is the Chinese side still looking forward to a visit by Secretary Blinken?

相关计划有无变化？

There’s no change to the plan, right?

毛宁：关于布林肯国务卿访华，我没有可以提供的消息。

Mao Ning: As to whether Secretary Blinken will visit China, I have nothing to share at the moment.

《华尔街日报》记者：我知道你无法确认关于声称美国上空发现中国间谍气球的消息，但你能否确认美中双方在过去24小时内就此进行了接触，在外交层面或者两国军方之间是否就此进行了沟通？

Wall Street Journal: I know you cannot confirm any information about the alleged balloon over the US, but could you confirm whether the US and China have been in contact over the past 24 hours about this issue whether at a diplomatic level or any communication between the two militaries?

毛宁：我刚刚已经讲了，我们正在了解核实情况，希望双方共同冷静谨慎处理有关问题。

Mao Ning: As I said, the Chinese side is gathering and verifying the facts. We hope that both sides will handle this matter together in a cool-headed and prudent manner.

023年2月6日外交部发言人毛宁主持例行记者会

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on February 6, 2023

美国有线电视新闻网记者：美国国防部称，拉美地区上空发现了另一个中国的监测气球。美方还称，在特朗普总统执政期间，中国的监测气球曾三度飞越美国，中方上述气球的用途是什么？

CNN: The Pentagon says another surveillance balloon from China has been spotted over Latin America and the US says there were three instances during the Trump administration of China flying surveillance balloons over the US. What’s the purpose of these balloons from China?

毛宁：关于你提到的拉丁美洲上空的气球，经了解核实，有关无人飞艇来自中国，属民用性质，用于飞行试验。

Mao Ning: With regard to the balloon over Latin America, it has been verified that the unmanned airship is from China, of civilian nature and used for flight test.

受气候影响，且自身控制能力有限，这一飞艇严重偏离了预定路线，误入拉美和加勒比上空。

Affected by the weather and with limited self-steering capability, the airship deviated far from its planned course and entered into the airspace of Latin America and the Caribbean.

中国是负责任国家，一贯严格遵守国际法，已同有关各方进行通报并妥善处理，不会对任何国家造成任何威胁。

China is a responsible country and always acts in strict accordance with international law. We have informed relevant sides. It is being properly handled and will not pose any threat to any country.

各方也对此表示理解。

They have expressed their understanding.

关于你提到特朗普执政期间中方气球3次飞越事，我注意到，特朗普已经予以否认。

As to the alleged three instances of China flying surveillance balloons over the US during the Trump administration, I noted that Mr. Trump has denied the claim.

美国有线电视新闻网记者：美方确信他们击落的是间谍气球，你可否说明为何中方说这是一个民用气象气球？

CNN: The US is confident though that what they shot down is in fact a spy balloon. Can you help us understand how this could be a weather balloon?

毛宁：中方已经多次向美方介绍有关情况。

Mao Ning: The Chinese side has provided relevant information to the US side on multiple occasions.

这艘无人飞艇是民用性质，用于气象等科研目的。

The unmanned airship is found to be a civilian airship used for meteorological and other research purposes.

受西风带影响，且自身控制能力有限，该飞艇严重偏离了预定航线。

Affected by the Westerlies and with limited self-steering capability, the airship deviated far from its planned course.

这完全是一次不可抗力导致的偶发意外事件。

This is entirely an unexpected, isolated incident caused by force majeure.

中国是负责任的国家，一贯严格遵守国际法，尊重别国国家主权和领土完整。

As a responsible country, China strictly adheres to international law and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries.

历史证明，经常践踏国际法、侵犯别国主权和领土完整的是美国。

As history shows, it is the US that has repeatedly trampled on international law and violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries.

我们已经表明，这完全是一次不可抗力导致的偶发意外事件。

The Chinese side has made it clear that this is entirely an unexpected, isolated incident caused by force majeure.

美方刻意渲染炒作，甚至武力袭击，是不可接受的不负责任行为。

The US side’s deliberate hyping up of the matter and even use of force are unacceptable and irresponsible.

英国天空电视台记者：气球事件发生后，世界正在密切关注中国。

Sky News: The eyes of the world are now on China as you know following the shooting down of that balloon.

中方是否意识到当前局面有多危险？

Does China recognize how dangerous this moment could be?

是否应避免针锋相对引发局势升级，尤其是如果美方搜集到的碎片显示气球确实是间谍气球的话？

And with that in mind, should it avoid tit-for-tat escalations, especially if the debris gathered shows that the balloon was spying?

毛宁：中方已经多次介绍情况。

Mao Ning: We have stated several times that this incident was totally unexpected and caused by force majeure.

这次事件完全是不可抗力导致的意外，美国国防部自己也声明“这个飞艇不会对地面人员构成军事和人身威胁”，美方不顾中方反复说明，执意动用武力，明显反应过度，中方坚决反对。

The US Department of Defense already stated that “the balloon does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground”. China has time and again made that clear to the US, and yet the US side still went ahead with the use of force, which is a clear overreaction. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to that.

我想强调的是，对于这种偶发意外事件，双方特别是美方应当以冷静、专业、非武力的方式妥善处理。

I wish to stress that in the face of this kind of unexpected, isolated incidents, both sides, the US in particular, should act in a calm, professional and proper manner without the use of force.

彭博社记者：你提到误入美国和拉美上空的气球都是意外偏离路线。请问中方为何很难控制自己的气象气球？

Bloomberg: First, you’ve characterized both balloons as entering the US and Latin America accidentally and being blown off course, so I guess the question is, why is China having so much trouble controlling weather balloons?

是否打算采取措施解决有关问题？

And is it gonna take steps to sort of remedy that problem?

毛宁：关于如何控制气球，我不是专家，无法回答这个问题。

Mao Ning: I’m not an expert on controlling the balloon, so I’m probably not the right person to answer this question.

但是据我个人了解，国际上科研气球失控并不是第一次。

But to my knowledge, this is not the first time in the world that balloons for scientific research went out of control.

《华尔街日报》记者：根据你掌握的信息，除了美国和拉美之外，世界其他地方上空是否也有失控的中国气球？

Wall Street Journal: To your knowledge, are there any other balloons in the world that currently the government of China has lost control of??

可否介绍相关情况？

What information can you share with us about that?

毛宁：我已经介绍了我知道的情况。

Mao Ning: I’ve shared with you what I know.

我不了解其他情况。

I don’t have other information.

法新社记者：外交部今天上午发布消息显示，外交部副部长谢锋就美方武力袭击中国无人飞艇向美国驻华使馆负责人提出严正交涉，你能否介绍详细情况？

AFP: The foreign ministry said this morning that Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng has lodged stern representations to the US Embassy over the handling of the Chinese balloon. Could you give more details about this encounter?

谢锋副部长是与美国驻华大使面对面会见吗？

Did Vice Minister Xie meet personally with the US Ambassador?

谢部长提到中方保留作出进一步反应的权利，中方计划作出什么反应？

And China has said it reserves the right to further respond to the balloon being shot down. What responses does China plan to take?

毛宁：关于谢锋副部长交涉情况，中方已经发布了消息，你可以查阅。

Mao Ning: The Chinese side has put out a press release regarding Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng’s démarche and you may refer to that.

我想强调的是，美方不顾中方的反复说明，执意动用武力，明显反应过度，中方坚决反对。

I want to stress that despite our repeated communication with the US, the US side still went ahead with the use of force. This is a clear overreaction. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to that.

美方不要没完没了，升级扩大。

The US side needs to stop pushing the envelope and stop escalating or exacerbating the situation.

中方将视事态的发展做出必要的反应。

The Chinese side will respond as necessary in light of the development of the situation.

《纽约时报》记者：请确认中方立场是保留击落未经授权进入领空的无人飞行器的权利，还是认为不应击落未经授权进入一国领空的无人飞行器？

New York Times: Is China taking the position that it reserves the right to shoot down unmanned aircraft that fly across its borders without permission or is China taking the position that it is wrong to shoot down unmanned aircraft that fly across borders without permission?

毛宁：我想强调的是，美方动用武力攻击误入的民用无人飞艇，是过度反应，违反国际惯例。

Mao Ning: I want to stress that the US made an overreaction by using force on a strayed unmanned civilian airship. This violates customary international practice.

彭博社记者：上周五，中国气象局局长被免去职务，不久前美国国防部宣布气球在建有核导弹发射设施的蒙大拿州上空出现，请问这两件事是否相关？

Bloomberg: On Friday China dismissed the head of its weather department. This came just after the Pentagon said that the balloon was over Montana which houses US nuclear missile sites. Was this dismissal of the weather department official related to the balloon?

另外，美国国务卿布林肯宣布推迟访华，中方是否有计划重新安排相关访问？

Separately, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that he will postpone his trip to China. Are there any plans for that trip to be put back on the schedule?

毛宁：关于你的第一个问题，中国人社部网站发布了消息。

Mao Ning: On your first question, there is an announcement on the website of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China.

我没有这方面信息。

I have nothing more to share.

关于你提到的布林肯国务卿访华，事实上，中美双方都没有宣布过什么访问，美方发布消息是美方自己的事情。

You mentioned Secretary Blinken’s visit to China in your second question. In fact, neither China nor the US has ever announced that there would be a visit. It is a matter for the US to make its latest announcement.

两国外交团队有责任妥善管控双边关系。

It is the responsibility of the diplomatic teams on both sides to properly manage bilateral relations.

CNBC记者：第一个问题，美国国会联邦参议员舒默称，在公众知晓气球存在后，中方曾试图操控气球使其尽快离开美国，你能否确认？

CNBC: I have two questions. The first question is, the US Senator Schumer said that once the balloon was exposed to the public, China attempted to maneuver the balloon to leave the US as soon as they could. Can the Chinese side confirm this?

中方是如何操控气球的？

And how did it attempt to maneuver the balloon?

第二个问题，布林肯国务卿何时访华尚处未知，在此背景下，中方计划采取什么行动为中美关系加装护栏，避免产生更多负面经济影响？

The second question is, now that we don’t know exactly when Blinken would be coming to visit China, what sorts of actions is China planning in order to put further guard rails on the US-China relationship and prevent further economic fallout?

毛宁：关于你的第一个问题，我能告诉你的是，中方与美方保持着沟通，一直在以负责任的方式努力处理这个问题。

Mao Ning: On your first question, I can tell you that we have maintained communication with the US side and made a great effort to handle this matter in a responsible way.

关于中美关系，中方始终按照习近平主席提出的相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢三原则看待和发展中美关系，同时坚定捍卫自身主权安全发展利益。

On China-US relations, China views and grows its relations with the US in accordance with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation proposed by President Xi Jinping. At the same time, we firmly uphold our sovereignty, security and development interests.

此次飞艇误入美国领空完全是个意外偶发事件，但考验的是美方对稳定和改善中美关系的诚意以及处理危机的方式。

The unintended entry of the airship into US airspace is totally unexpected and isolated. It is, however, a test for the US side’s sincerity about stabilizing and improving its relations with China and its approach to crisis management.

美方应同中方相向而行，妥善管控分歧，避免误解误判、破坏彼此互信。

The US side needs to work with China to properly manage differences and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation and damaging mutual trust.

路透社记者：你刚才提到针对美方击落中方气球，中方保留作出进一步必要反应的权利。

Reuters: I understand what you said just now about China reserving the right to take necessary actions in relation to the shooting down of the balloon by the US but what would be your position hypothetically before this balloon incident?

那假如是美方气球或无人机进入中国领空，中方会否将其击落？

Would China shoot down a US balloon or drone if it finds it above Chinese territory?

毛宁：我不回答假设性的问题。

Mao Ning: I do not take hypothetical questions.

我可以告诉你的是，这次飞艇误入事件，完全是一次不可抗力导致的偶发意外事件。

What I can tell you is that the unintended entry of the airship is an entirely unexpected, isolated incident caused by force majeure.

美方应当冷静、专业、妥善地处理。

The US side needs to handle it in a calm, professional and proper manner.

《纽约时报》记者：中方已对美方在浅水区击落气球表示反对。

New York Times: China has objected to the downing in shallow water of the balloon.

如果美方没有击落的话，中方原本期待气球飞往哪里？

Where did China want the balloon to go instead?

是坠入大海？

Did it expect it to crash into the ocean?

还是降落到中国船只上？

Did it expect it to land on a Chinese ship in the ocean?

还是飞回中国？

Did it expect it to fly back to China?

如果气球没有被击落，中方的计划是什么？

What was the plan for the airship if it had not been downed?

毛宁：这是个假设性问题，我无法回答。

Mao Ning: This is a hypothetical question, which I cannot answer.

中方已反复向美方强调，应该以冷静、专业、非武力的方式妥善处理。

We have repeatedly stressed to the US that it should act in a calm, professional and proper manner without the use of force.

路透社记者：外交部是什么时候了解到气球的有关情况的？具体是哪天？

Reuters: At what point, on which day did the foreign ministry find out about this balloon?

是在美方宣布发现气球之前还是之后？

Was it before or after the US said it has discovered this balloon?

毛宁：中国是负责任国家。

Mao Ning: China is a responsible country.

美方向中方通报之后，我们立即核查并且第一时间向美方作出了反馈，明确要求美方以冷静、专业、克制的方式妥善处理。

After the US side informed the Chinese side of the situation, we immediately verified it and communicated it to the US side, and we specifically asked the US side to properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and restrained manner.

路透社记者：中方对气球缺乏全面系统的追踪能力，只能依靠其他国家通报中国气球进入他国领空，中方对此是否感到担心？

Reuters: Does it concern or worry China that it doesn’t have an overall systematic way of tracking where its balloons are so that it needs to rely on the other countries to let it know that they have found a balloon in their airspace?

毛宁：我已经多次强调，这是一个不可抗力导致的偶发和意外事件，应该得到冷静、专业、妥善的处理。

Mao Ning: I have stressed repeatedly that this is an unexpected, isolated incident caused by force majeure and should be handled in a calm, professional and proper manner.

《华尔街日报》记者：今天上午外交部消息显示，谢锋副部长就美方武力袭击中国无人飞艇向美国驻华使馆负责人提出严正交涉。

Wall Street Journal: We saw this morning the statement that Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng had met with or had conveyed his reaction to the US embassy.

除此之外，中美双方周末是否直接就此事进行过沟通？

I’m curious, over the weekend, can you comment on whether there’s been any other direct communication between the US and China specifically about the downing of the aircraft?

比如中美国防部是否进行过任何沟通？

For example, has the Chinese Ministry of Defense communicated at all with the Pentagon about this issue?

毛宁：我可以告诉你的是，中方一直同美方保持着沟通，明确要求美方以冷静、专业、克制的方式妥善处理。

Mao Ning: I can share with you that China has been in communication with the US and specifically asked the US side to properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and restrained manner.

我们也及时向美方通报了核实了解的情况。

We made the result of our verification available to the US side in a timely way.

2023年2月7日外交部发言人毛宁主持例行记者会

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on February 7, 2023

美国全国广播公司记者：中方此前表示，美国击落的气球和拉美地区上空发现的气球均是民用飞艇。

NBC: China has said that the balloon that was shot down over the US and the second balloon that has been spotted over Latin America are civilian airships.

中方能否说明上述气球属于哪家中国公司、企业或部门？

Which company or enterprise or department do the balloons belong to? Can China please clarify for the record?

中方已进行了数日调查，能否介绍气球在美国收集的是气象还是其他什么信息？

Several days into the investigation, could you please clarify what kind of information, weather or otherwise, was the balloon gathering over the US?

毛宁：关于无人飞艇，中方已经多次介绍了有关情况。

Mao Ning: The Chinese side has given information about the unmanned airship on several occasions.

我目前不掌握更多的信息。

I don’t have anything to add at the moment.

美国全国广播公司记者：中方是否已要求美方归还被击落的气球残骸？

NBC: Has China asked the US to return the debris of the balloon that was shot down?

毛宁：这个飞艇不是美国的，是中国的。

Mao Ning: The airship does not belong to the US. It belongs to China.

日本广播协会记者：2019年中国媒体曾报道，中国空军战斗机也击落过外国侦察气球，那么这次美国判定中方气球是侦察性质并予以击落，为什么中方会抗议？

NHK: Chinese media reported in 2019 that a Chinese air force fighter jet shot down a foreign spy balloon. So why did China protest to the US after the latter downed what it claimed was a surveillance balloon?

毛宁：中国有关无人飞艇是民用性质，完全是因为不可抗力误入美国领空，是个意外事件，没有对美方人员和安全构成威胁。

Mao Ning: The unmanned Chinese airship is of civilian nature. Its unintended entry into US airspace is entirely unexpected and caused by force majeure. It didn’t pose any threat to any person or to the national security of the US.

美方本来应当以冷静、专业、非武力的方式妥善处理，但是美方执意动用武力，明显反应过度。

The US should have properly handled such incidents in a calm and professional manner not involving the use of force, yet they decided to do otherwise, which is a clear overreaction.

2023年2月8日外交部发言人毛宁主持例行记者会

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on February 8, 2023

日本共同社记者：关于气球的问题，中方是否保持同美方的联系？ 请你再次介绍中方的立场。

Kyodo News: Could you state China’s position again on whether you are in contact with the US side over the unmanned airship?

毛宁：关于中国的民用无人飞艇意外误入美国领空的事件，我们已经多次说明了情况。

Mao Ning: The Chinese side has repeatedly shared information on the unintended entry of the unmanned Chinese civilian airship into US airspace.

我想强调的是，美国动用武力袭击中国的民用无人飞艇是不可接受的不负责任行为，中方已经提出了严正抗议。

I would like to stress that the US’s downing of the unmanned Chinese civilian airship by force is unacceptable and irresponsible. The Chinese side has lodged a stern protest.

我还想强调，夸大和渲染中国威胁，无益于中美的互信和关系改善，也不能使美国更安全。

I would also like to stress that exaggerating or hyping up the “China threat” narrative is not conducive to building trust or improving ties between our two countries, nor can it make the US safer.

路透社记者：美方在华盛顿和北京向40个国家通报了中国无人飞艇事及有关调查情况。

Reuters: The US has briefed 40 nations about the Chinese balloon and has also presented findings about it. These briefings were done in Washington as well as in Beijing.

外交部对此有何评论？

Does the ministry have any comment on this?

毛宁：希望美方基于客观事实向其他国家说明情况。

Mao Ning: It is hoped that the US will communicate with other countries based on facts.

2023年2月9日外交部发言人毛宁主持例行记者会

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on February 9, 2023

澳亚卫视记者：有报道称，纳米比亚近期在其附近海域发现一艘用于收集水下信息的美国无人艇，美方称系用于科考研究的私人艇，纳米比亚媒体普遍认为该无人艇为美国间谍船。

MASTV: It’s been reported that Namibia recently found in its waters a US saildrone used to gather data under water. Despite the US claim that it is a private drone contracted for marine research purposes, Namibian media generally believe it is an American spy drone.

我们还注意到，智库“南海战略态势感知”近日发布最新数据指出，今年1月，美军共出动64架次侦察机到南海进行抵近侦察。

According to the latest data released by the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, a think tank, in January this year, 64 sorties of US military land-based reconnaissance aircraft were spotted over the South China Sea.

中方对此有何评论？

What’s your comment?

毛宁：美国是全球最大的监控侦察国家，长期在世界各地开展情报活动。

Mao Ning: The US is the number one country in surveillance and reconnaissance. It has long-running intelligence programs across the globe.

美国频繁派舰机在中国周边抵近侦察，严重危害中国国家安全，破坏地区和平稳定，中方已经多次表示严正关切。

US aircraft and warships frequently conduct close-in reconnaissance around China, which seriously threatens China’s national security and undermines regional peace and stability. The Chinese side has repeatedly voiced our grave concerns.

美方应当立即停止此类挑衅行为。

The US needs to put an immediate end to such provocations.

法新社记者：白宫方面昨天表示，上周被击落的中国气球隶属于一支遍布五大洲的“机群”。

AFP: The White House said yesterday that the Chinese balloon shot down last week was part of a fleet that have spanned five continents.

日本称正与美方协调分析2020年和2021年在日本上空发现的气球状物体。

Japan says it’s coordinating with the US to analyze balloon-like objects spotted over Japan in 2020 and 2021.

请问外交部对于气球相关问题有没有新的补充？

So my question is, does the foreign ministry have any new information to add on the balloon issue today?

你之前表示美国和拉美地区发现的两个气球都是气象气球，可否介绍气球搭载的设备以及气球由哪家实体所有？

As you’ve described, the two balloons spotted over the US and Latin America are weather balloons. Could you provide any details about the equipment on board and the entities that own the balloons?

毛宁：中方已经多次说明了情况，有关飞艇是民用性质，因为意外误入美国领空，完全是不可抗力造成的。

Mao Ning: On the airship, the Chinese side has repeatedly shared its information. The unintended, unexpected entry of the unmanned Chinese civilian airship into US airspace is entirely caused by force majeure.

美方不顾中方的反复说明和沟通，滥用武力、过度反应，中方坚决反对，强烈不满。

The Chinese side has made that clear in its communication with the US side time and again, yet the US overreacted by using force. China firmly opposes and deplores this.

我没有听说过什么“机群”。这是美方对中国进行信息舆论战的一部分。

I am not aware of any “fleet of balloons”. That narrative is probably part of the information and public opinion warfare the US has waged on China.

谁是世界上最大的间谍监听监测国家，国际社会看得很清楚。

As to who is the world’s number one country of spying, eavesdropping and surveillance, that is plainly visible to the international community.

在飞艇问题上，日方应当秉持客观公正的立场，而不是追随美国进行炒作。

Japan should adopt an objective and fair position on the airship incident instead of dramatizing it like the US.

关于你的最后一个问题，我没有可以提供的信息。

As to your last question, I have nothing to offer.

2023年2月10日外交部发言人毛宁主持例行记者会

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on February 10, 2023

法新社记者：一名美国国务院高级官员称，中国飞艇搭载的设备同气象研究搭载的设备不同，显然是用于情报监测。

AFP: A senior US State Department official has said the equipment found on the Chinese balloon was clearly for intelligence surveillance and inconsistent with the equipment aboard weather balloons.

同时，美国国会众议院通过一项决议案谴责中国气球侵犯美国领空。

And around the same time, the US House of Representatives also passed a resolution condemning China for using a surveillance balloon over US territory.

中方对此有何回应？

What is China’s response to this?

你能否介绍气球搭载了什么设备？

Could you perhaps tell us what equipment was on the balloon?

毛宁：关于一只中国无人民用飞艇因不可抗力误入美国领空的意外事件，中方已经多次说明情况、阐明立场。

Mao Ning: The Chinese side has repeatedly shared information and stated its position on the unintended entry of the unmanned Chinese civilian airship into US airspace due to force majeure.

美国国会的有关决议案纯属政治操弄和炒作。

The US Congress’s resolution is purely about scoring political points and dramatizing the whole thing.

中方对此强烈不满、坚决反对。

China deplores it and firmly opposes it.

关于你的第二个问题，我不掌握有关信息。

On your second question, I do not have the information.

2023年2月13日外交部发言人汪文斌主持例行记者会

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on February 13, 2023

美国全国广播公司记者：美方已在美国和加拿大领空击落了四个飞行物，其中一个是中方的飞艇。

NBC: The United States has now shot down four flying objects in US and Canadian airspace, one of which was a balloon claimed by China.

你能否确认另外三个飞行物中的任何一个或全部属于中方？还是这仅是巧合？

Can you confirm that any or all of the three other objects also belong to China or is this just a coincidence?

汪文斌：我们已经多次表明，中国民用无人飞艇误入美国领空，完全是不可抗力导致的意外、偶发事件。

Wang Wenbin: We have made it clear time and again that the entry of the Chinese civilian unmanned airship into US airspace was a purely unintended, unexpected and isolated event caused by force majeure.

你提到的其他所谓不明飞行物的情况，我不了解。

As to the “unidentified objects” you asked about, I do not have anything on that.

我想告诉大家的是，美方发射先进导弹击落无人飞艇，这是用力过猛的过度反应。

We do need to point out, however, that the US’s downing of the unmanned airship with advanced missiles is a trigger-happy overreaction.

我们注意到，美国国内很多人都在质疑，这种做法除了耗费美国纳税人的金钱之外，又能给美国和美国人民带来什么实际收益呢？

Many in the US have been asking: what good can such costly action possibly bring to the US and its taxpayers?

我还要指出的是，事实上，美国才是全球最大监控侦察国家，拥有世界上最大规模的间谍网络。

As a matter of fact, it is the US who is the No.1 surveillance country and has the largest spy network in the world.

美国国家安全局监听的对象包括德国、法国、挪威、瑞典、荷兰等欧洲多国政要短信和通话内容。

The US National Security Agency spied on calls and chat messages to and from the phones of leaders of Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and other European countries.

美国在其近100个驻外使领馆内暗自安装监听设备，对驻在国进行窃密。

The US has been operating a highly secretive signals intelligence collection program through almost a hundred US embassies and consulates worldwide.

据信息安全新媒体“安在”去年的报告披露，美国国家安全局在30天内就远程窃取了970亿条全球互联网数据和1240亿条电话记录，涉及各国大量公民个人隐私。

Anzer, a cybersecurity information platform, revealed last year that the NSA stole more than 97 billion pieces of global internet data and 124 billion phone records in 30 days, compromising the privacy of citizens across the world.

就在不久前，纳米比亚海域发现一艘用于收集水下信息的美国无人艇，当地媒体普遍认为这艘无人艇实际上就是美国的间谍船。

Namibia recently found in its waters a US saildrone used to gather data under water, and local media generally believe it to be an American spy drone.

美国在世界上放飞了多少“间谍”侦测气球，美方自己心底里很清楚。

The US knows how many surveillance balloons it has sent into the skies in the world.

谁是世界上最大“间谍监听帝国”，国际社会也看得十分清楚。

It’s quite clear to the global community which country is the No.1 spy empire in the world.

记者追问：中方否认美方击落的三个飞行物中任何一个或全部属于中方吗？还是这仅是巧合？

NBC: Does China deny that any or all of the three objects that have been shot down in recent days belong to China, or is it just a coincidence?

汪文斌：我刚才已经讲了，我不了解有关情况。

Wang Wenbin: As I just said, I do not have anything on that.

我们一贯主张，如果没有明确的证据，就不应发表不负责任的言论。

We believe that no irresponsible comments should be made when there is no clear evidence.

我们坚决反对无中生有、抹黑中国的做法。

And we are absolutely opposed to made-up stories and smears against China.

英国天空新闻记者：第一个问题，关于近日在美国和加拿大领空被击落的三个不明物体，虽然美加官方都未宣布不明物体是什么、来自哪里，但美国国会参议院多数党领袖舒默称，他认为中方很可能有一支“飞艇机群”。

Sky News: Firstly in relation to those three separate unidentified objects that have been shot down over America and Canada in recent days. Although neither the Americans nor the Canadians have officially said what they are or where they come from, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he thinks it’s likely that they are a fleet of balloons from China.

你能否直接回应这一指控？

Can you respond directly to that accusation?

第二个问题，有报道称中方正准备击落青岛港附近的一个不明物体。

And secondly, if I may. There have been reports that China is preparing to shoot down an unidentified object around the port of Qingdao.

中方将美方在类似情况下采取的行动描述为“过度反应”、违反国际惯例，为什么现在自己却在考虑采取这样的行动？

Can I ask why such action is being considered given the fact that when the Americans took similar action in what feel to be quite similar circumstances, China has described that as a serious overreaction and a violation of international conventions?

汪文斌：关于第一个问题，我刚才已经回答过了，我们一向反对无中生有、抹黑中国的做法。

Wang Wenbin: I have answered your first question. We are opposed to made-up stories and smears against China.

关于第二个问题，中方有关部门已经发布了通知，建议你向有关部门了解。

On your second question, the relevant Chinese department has released the notice. I would refer you to the relevant department.

路透社记者：上周第一只被击落并落入临近美国海域的气球是中国公司的吗？

Reuters: Does last week’s balloon belong to a Chinese company? I’m talking about the one that was shot down initially that then fell all over the sea close to the USA.

汪文斌：我们已经多次表明，中国民用无人飞艇误入美国领空，完全是不可抗力导致的意外、偶发事件。

Wang Wenbin: We have made it clear several times that the unintended entry of China’s civilian unmanned airship into the US airspace is an entirely unexpected, isolated event caused by force majeure.

美方将其击落完全是滥用武力、过度反应，我们对此坚决反对。

The US downing of the airship is an abuse of the use of force and overreaction. We are firmly opposed to it.

法新社记者：美方十天前击落中国气球，中国外交部当时说那是一个民用飞艇。

AFP: I have another question regarding China’s balloon shot down by the US ten days ago. The foreign ministry said it was for civilian use.

能否介绍它属于中国的哪家单位？

Can you tell us which entity it belongs to?

汪文斌：我们已经多次就无人飞艇误入美国领空事件表明中方立场。

Wang Wenbin: We’ve stated repeatedly our position on the unmanned airship’s unintended entry into US airspace. But let me share with you some facts.

我们还要告诉大家一个事实，那就是长期以来，美国滥用自身技术优势，对全世界包括其盟友进行大规模、无差别的监听窃密，行动遍布各地，侵犯他国主权和利益，违反国际法和国际关系基本准则。美国是当之无愧的世界最大间谍惯犯和监控帝国。

Over the years, the US has been engaged in massive, non-discriminate wiretapping and secret theft operations globally, including against its allies, by abusing its tech advantage. These operations violate the sovereignty and interests of countries around the world, the international law and basic norms governing international relations, which makes the US the absolute No.1 country in terms of spying and surveillance.

美国还频繁派舰机对中国进行抵近侦察，去年高达657架次，仅今年1月在南海就高达64架次，严重危害中国国家安全，破坏地区和平稳定。

The US military vessels and aircraft conduct frequent close-in reconnaissance on China, including 657 sorties last year and 64 sorties in January this year in the South China Sea alone, which seriously undermines China’s national security and regional peace and stability.

美方气球非法进入别国领空也司空见惯，仅去年以来，美方高空气球未经中国相关部门批准，十余次非法飞越中国领空。

US balloons have often entered other countries’ airspace illegally. Since last year, US high-altitude balloons have flown over Chinese airspace over ten times without authorization from China.

美方首先要做的应当是反躬自省、改弦更张，而不是到处污蔑抹黑、煽动对抗。

The US needs to reflect on its own behavior and change course rather than attacking others and stoking confrontation.

朝日电视台记者：气球问题现在演变得愈发严重，中美是否正在为避免冲突而进行谈判？

Asahi Shimbun: As the balloon issue is escalating, is China and the US engaging in negotiations to avoid conflict?

汪文斌：中美双方保持着必要沟通，关键是要通过冷静、专业、克制的方式妥善处理这次因不可抗力导致的意外情况。

Wang Wenbin: China and the US have maintained necessary communication. What is important is to properly handle this unexpected situation caused by force majeure in a calm, professional and restrained manner.

彭博社记者：你提到有美国飞艇飞越中国，具体数字是十个还是十多个？这个数字覆盖的时间段是从2023年开始还是过去12个月？

Bloomberg: Just on your comments earlier. I wonder if I could ask you just to elaborate a little bit more slowly about the numbers that you mentioned about US balloons flying over China. Did you say more than ten? And if so, can you be a little bit more precise? Was it ten or more than ten? And if so, what the number is? And also can you clarify the period? Did you mean in 2023 so far? Or was it in the last 12 months?

汪文斌：你提的这个问题恐怕也是国际社会关注的问题。

Wang Wenbin: There is a great deal of interest in this matter.

我们愿重申，是美方滥用自身技术，对全世界包括美国的盟友进行大规模、无差别的监听窃密，也是美方频繁派舰机对中国进行抵近侦察，损害中国的主权。

We would like to reiterate that it is the US who has been abusing its technological strength and engaged in massive, indiscriminate wiretapping and secret theft globally, including on its allies, and it is the US who has been frequently sending military vessels and aircraft for close-in reconnaissance on China in violation of our sovereignty.

美方的气球非法进入别国领空并不是什么稀罕事。

It’s not uncommon for US balloons to illegally enter other countries’ airspace.

仅去年以来，美方的高空气球未经中国相关部门批准，就十余次非法飞越中国领空。

Since the beginning of last year, US high-altitude balloons have flown into China’s airspace more than ten times without Chinese authorization.

美方应当改弦更张、反躬自省，而不是抹黑、指责中方。

The US needs to change course and reflect on itself rather than smear and accuse China.

英国天空新闻记者：美方称，根据2月4日击落的气球残片，确信该气球搭载了监测装备，而中方明确否认该指控。

Sky News: I have a question about the debris that the Americans have collected from the first balloon that was shot down on February 4. The Americans say they can now confidently state that they believe it was fitted with surveillance capabilities. And China has made very clear it rejects that accusation.

你认为美国为什么会得出这一结论？

But can I ask why you think the Americans have come to this assessment?

他们是错误分析了收集到的残片，还是他们纯属编造？

Do you think they have simply misinterpreted what they gathered? Or do you believe that they’re just making it up?

汪文斌：这个问题恐怕你问美方更合适。

Wang Wenbin: Perhaps you should ask the US.

事实是美国国防部自己声明，这个气球不会对地面人员构成军事和人身威胁。

One fact is clear: the US Department of Defense stated itself that the balloon did not pose a military or physical threat to people on the ground.

近期，我们也看到美方相关议员指出，气球并没有对美国构成威胁。

Plus US lawmakers have said that this incident does not pose a threat to the US.

所以你应当去问问美方，为什么在这样的情况下，美方依然要动用先进导弹来击落它呢？这不是过度反应又是什么呢？

So you really need to ask the US why it still decided to fire advanced missiles at it and what else can it be described as other than an overreaction.

《华尔街日报》记者：美国商务部决定将6家与所谓气球侦察项目有关的中国企业列入黑名单，中方对此有何评论？

The Wall Street Journal: I just have a question about the Commerce Department’s decision to blacklist six Chinese companies in relation to the alleged balloon surveillance program. What is China’s comment on this, first of all?

中方可能就此采取何种对等措施？

And what kinds of reciprocal measures might we expect from China in relation to this?

汪文斌：中方一向坚决反对美国对中国机构、企业和个人实施非法单边制裁及长臂管辖。

Wang Wenbin: China’s always firmly opposed to the US’s illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against Chinese institutions, companies and individuals.

中国民用无人飞艇误入美领空完全是一起由不可抗力导致的意外、偶发事件，中方已多次向美方说明情况。然而美方滥用武力、过度反应、升级事态，违反国际法精神和国际惯例，现在又炒作渲染，变本加厉，以此为借口非法制裁中方企业和机构。

The unintended entry of China’s civilian unmanned airship into the US airspace is an entirely unexpected, isolated event caused by force majeure, and the Chinese side has time and again explained this to the US side, yet the US overreacted by abusing the use of force and escalating the situation, which is against the spirit of international law and customary practice. The US has also been hyping up the situation and pushing the envelope by using it as an excuse to impose illegal sanctions over Chinese companies and institutions.

中方对此强烈不满、坚决反对。

China strongly disapproves of and firmly opposes this.

中方将采取必要措施，坚决维护中国企业和机构的合法权益。

We will do what is necessary to defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and institutions.

彭博社记者：据报道，因为中方气球“侵犯”西方领空，英国政府考虑将进行安全审查。外交部对此有何评论？

Bloomberg: A question relating to the UK. The UK is said to undertake a security review following the incursion of Chinese balloons into Western airspace. Does the Chinese foreign ministry have a comment on the UK plan to undertake a security review in light of the recent balloons in the US?

汪文斌：我们已经就有关事件表明立场。

Wang Wenbin: We have made our position clear on the incident.

各方应当客观看待，停止借题发挥。

It should be viewed in an objective way and there should be no dramatizing about it.