"Suspected Chinese High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon Tracked by the US"
Tensions between the US and China are growing as the US government tracks a suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon over the mainland United States. The US government has been tracking the balloon for several days and it is currently traveling over the northern US at an altitude well above commercial air traffic, which does not present a physical threat to the people on the ground.
US Confirms the Balloon Belongs to China:
According to a senior defense official, the US is confident that this high-altitude surveillance balloon belongs to the People's Republic of China. The US has observed similar instances of this activity over the past several years, including before this administration took office.
Balloon's Flight Path Over Sensitive Sites:
Although the balloon's flight path carries it over several sensitive sites, the official stated that it does not present a significant intelligence gathering risk. The US is taking steps to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information, and it continues to monitor the balloon as it moves over the mainland United States.
Value of Balloon's Intelligence Gathering:
Another defense official stated that the US believes that Chinese spy satellites in low Earth orbit are capable of offering similar or better intelligence, thus limiting the value of whatever information the Chinese government can gain from this high-altitude balloon, which is the size of three buses.
US Engages with China:
The US government has been in touch with the Chinese government through both the Chinese embassy in Washington and the US diplomatic mission in China. The timing of this situation is particularly sensitive as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Beijing in the coming days to follow up on President Biden's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last year.
China's Response:
China's Foreign Ministry said that it was aware of reports of the incident but warned against deliberate speculation. The spokesperson emphasized that China is a responsible country that acts in accordance with international law and has no intention of violating other countries' airspace.
Canada Also Tracking the Balloon:
Canada has announced that it is also tracking the balloon's movements and working with its American partners.
Biden Briefed and Advised Not to Shoot the Balloon Down:
The President has been briefed on the balloon's movements and requested military options on how to deal with it. According to a senior administration official, Biden took the advice of the military not to shoot the balloon down and emphasized that it does not pose a military threat.
The tracking of the suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon is adding further strain to the already tense US-China relations. The US continues to monitor the balloon as it moves over the mainland United States, and it is taking steps to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information. The situation is sensitive as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Beijing in the coming days, setting the stage for a potentially tense meeting with the Chinese foreign minister.