The US is studying the wreckage of a downed Chinese balloon the day before. According to preliminary data, the bullet was espionage and China used similar means to spy on other countries.
The corresponding statement was made by the press secretary of the White House Karine Jean-Pierre. Washington's statement denies Beijing's claim that the balloon was a weather balloon.
China spied on dozens of countries
Karine Jean-Pierre said that China used an entire fleet of balloons to spy on various countries on five continents. According to the White House Speaker, the Joe Biden administration has already had conversations with allies about this.
At the same time, The Wall Street Journal, citing sources in the State Department, the FBI and the Pentagon, reported that China used such balls to monitor 40 countries of the world. Examination of fragments of the downed balloon showed that it was equipped with several antennas, including an array that is likely to be able to accurately determine the location of communication equipment
Large solar panels were also found on the ball, capable of powering a number of intelligence gathering sensors. More data on the ball will be published later, as all the wreckage is now being searched and studied.
The US shot down a Chinese balloon
- The US shot down a Chinese reconnaissance balloon over its territory. This was not done immediately, because, according to President Joe Biden, they were waiting for the moment. The ball was “landed” off the coast of South Carolina with the help of an F-22 fighter that fired an Aim-9X Sidewinder missile. The so-called spy exploded, and the contents of the ball fell.
- The discovery of the bullet provoked tension between Washington and Beijing, in particular, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken postponed his visit to China indefinitely.
- At the same time, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken postponed his visit to China. Beijing expressed outrage at the actions of Washington. The Chinese Foreign Ministry assured that the airship is intended for civilian use. It is said that the Americans were warned about its use, but the bullet entered the United States due to “force majeure”.
- At the same time, Chinese officials rejected attempts by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to talk about the incident. Beijing obviously does not want to communicate with Washington on this issue.
