China Spy Balloon Flying Over Key Naval Base; President Refuses To Shoot Down

I'm Not buying the China Government excuse for this!
It was also flying over US Military Missile silo.
"The NOAA HYSPLIT* model was used to reverse track the balloon from China. The balloon flew over the Aleutian Islands, then into Canada air space before crossing into U.S. airspace over Montana and a U.S. nuclear missile base on Wednesday.
China issued a statement Friday morning regretting what it claimed is a civilian science experiment flying off course.

This makes no sense!
Was this allowed for Chinese Government to gather information on us?
If So, For what purpose?
Link:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/02/forecast-air-currents-take-china-spy-balloon-us-heartland-key-naval-base-biden-refuses-shoot/