The suspected spy balloon shot down from China by the US is part of an extensive surveillance program by the Beijing government. That reports the “Washington Post” Tuesday evening (local time). Such balloons have been collecting information about military installations in various countries for years.
These include Japan, India, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines. According to the report, these countries are of strategic importance to China. Operating partially off the coast of the southern Chinese island of Hainan, the balloons have been spotted on five continents so far. Most recently, a balloon was spotted over US territory. The military shot him off the coast of South Carolina.
Old technology
“The Chinese have combined incredibly ancient technology with modern communications and surveillance capabilities to collect intelligence on other countries’ armed forces,” the Washington Post quoted an unnamed US official as saying. The US State Department has sent detailed information about the surveillance balloons to each of its embassies, which can be shared with allies and partners.
The rise of the balloon has further cooled already strained relations between the two countries. The US government accuses the Chinese of spying on military facilities. Beijing representatives, on the other hand, spoke of a civilian research balloon that had gone off course. The American side reacted “obviously exaggerated” with the shooting. In addition, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken canceled a planned trip to China at the last minute.
call declined
According to US information, the Chinese government has rejected an offer to talk. “We believe that maintaining open lines of communication between the United States and the People’s Republic of China is important to conducting the relationship responsibly,” Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder said.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
