Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning (pictured) condemned the latest comments made by Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder, in which he said that although the balloon didn't collect any information, it carried spy equipment in it.
"The Chinese side has repeatedly stated that the entry of a Chinese civilian unmanned balloon into US airspace was an accident caused by force majeure," she underlined during a press briefing.
She went on to say that the claims that the balloon was used for espionage purposes are "complete slander."
