What is known about the downed Chinese balloon in the USA

A Chinese spy balloon allegedly shot down by US warplanes off the coast of South Carolina on February 4 has raised some concerns among US officials.

The US government said the balloon, which flew over North America for more than a week before it was shot down, carried equipment capable of intercepting communications and geolocation.

What is a balloon anyway?

Following the US statements that the spy balloon allegedly belonging to China was monitored, China made a statement stating that the airship flying over the US was of civilian nature and was diverted from its natural route.

China said it was used for meteorological and scientific research purposes and was diverted to US territory due to the influence of westerly winds and limited controllability of the equipment.

Why was the balloon dropped?

The balloon flew over US airspace for about a week before being hit. Despite China’s various efforts to have equipment for meteorological purposes, the US did not admit it was an “accident”.

US works to save suspected Chinese spy bubble https://t.co/xxYO4wWzpR pic.twitter.com/zrqikjdEH4

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 6, 2023

Initially, senior officials advised US President Joe Biden not to drop the balloon when it was in dangerous airspace for humans due to its load, size and altitude.

When the balloon began to fly over the Atlantic Ocean, Joe Biden ordered the execution, and the Pentagon sent F-22 and F-15 warplanes to shoot down the balloon.

Rescue efforts began immediately after the balloon fell. U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels patrolled the area for any clues about the wreckage and equipment.

Material recovered from the crashed balloon is sent to the FBI laboratory in Virginia for analysis. According to the DW news agency, the USA claims to have found antennas and solar panels among the remains of the balloon.

Crews have so far been able to remove parts of the balloon’s lining and some wires, but most of the debris remains in the ocean.

What does China say?

China’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States of “gravely violating international practice” after lowering its bubble.

Tan Kefei, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, said in a statement, “The United States used force to attack our unmanned civil airship, this is an obvious overreaction. We strongly protest this action on the US side.”

The statement also said that China “clearly asks the United States to handle this calmly, professionally and in a measured manner”.

What does the USA say?

The US does not accept China’s claims that the balloon was used for meteorological research.

A senior US government official says it was “a surveillance balloon from the People’s Republic of China (PRC)” and crossed the US and Canada to monitor sensitive military sites.

Before the balloon was dropped, it passed through sensitive security areas, such as an area in Montana, where nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles were ready to be launched from underground silos.

What are the possible outcomes?

The diplomatic fallout was significant and increased tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Recently, the Pentagon admitted that it refused Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe’s request to meet with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after the incident.

In addition, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken postponed his Beijing trip to Friday (03) hours before he left, and during a meeting with Wang Yi, director of the Chinese Foreign Central Office, said: “It would not be appropriate to visit China at this time because of the balloon incident.”

At least three other flying objects of a similar nature have been shot down in North America since the Chinese balloon was shot down on February 4.

On Friday (10), the US shot down a flying object over northern Alaska. On Saturday (11) another object was dropped in Yukon, Canada. On Sunday (12), a US flying object was shot down in Lake Huron near the Canadian border.