OPINION | Views expressed in this article reflect the author's opinion.

Americans are rightfully concerned about a high-altitude Chinese spy balloon that has been illegally hovering in U.S. airspace for multiple days.

In response, Chinese officials released a statement that accuses Americans of “hyping up” the balloon inaccurately in order to “smear China.”

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China claims the balloon is merely “a civilian weather device” being “used for research” and “mainly meteorological, purposes.”

The Pentagon says this is a lie. “The Pentagon does not believe that this was a weather balloon that flew off course,” Fox News confirmed. It was launched from mainland China.

The balloon secretly entered through Alaska and made its way through Canada and into the U.S. It hovered over a nuke site at a U.S. military base and caused planes to be grounded at a Montana airport.

Former President Donald Trump responded in full capital letters: “SHOOT DOWN THE BALLOON!”

President Joe Biden has refused to shoot down the aircraft because he thinks it might cause safety issues for people on the ground.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claims that balloon “does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground.”

Instead, Biden is choosing to “track” the balloon as it’s expected to hover for multiple days over the U.S.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “This is entirely an unexpected situation caused by force majeure and the facts are very clear.”

“Some politicians and media in the US have hyped it up to attack and smear China,” the spokesperson said. “The Chinese side is firmly opposed to that.”

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Again, the Pentagon says this is false. There is no “force majeure” that caused the balloon to enter U.S. airspace.

“China always acts in strict accordance with international law and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We have no intention to violate and has never violated the territory or airspace of any sovereign country.”

“Regarding the unintended entry of a Chinese unmanned airship into US airspace due to force majeure, the Chinese side has verified it and communicated it to the US side,” the spokesperson continued.

“It is a civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological, purposes. Affected by the Westerlies and with limited self-steering capability, the airship deviated far from its planned course.”

A senior U.S. defense official has directly contradicted Chinese officials by explaining, “This was intentional.”