An alleged spy balloon spotted over the US is a Chinese "civilian airship" which had deviated from its planned route, China says, SIA refers to foreign media.
US defence officials said they believed the balloon, seen above sensitive areas in recent days, was in fact a "high-altitude surveillance" device. But in a statement, China's foreign ministry said it was used for "mainly meteorological" purposes.
China "regrets the unintended entry" of the balloon into US airspace, it added.
The object flew over Alaska's Aleutian Islands and through Canada before appearing over the city of Billings in Montana on Wednesday, according to officials. Montana is home to some of the US's nuclear missile silos.
The US decided not to shoot down the balloon because of the danger posed by falling debris, and the limited use of any intelligence the device could gather, a US defence official said.
However, the government prepared fighter jets in case the object had to be shot down.
The Chinese statement said the balloon had been blown off-course by unexpected winds.
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