What is a suspected Chinese spy balloon doing above the US?
1 year, 10 months ago

What is a suspected Chinese spy balloon doing above the US?

CNN  

Seoul, South Korea CNN — News that the Pentagon is monitoring a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon in the skies over the continental United States raises a series of questions – not least among them, what exactly it might be doing. US officials have said the flight path of the balloon, first spotted over Montana on Thursday, could potentially take it over a “number of sensitive sites” and say they are taking steps to “protect against foreign intelligence collection.” But what’s less clear is why Chinese spies would want to use a balloon, rather than a satellite to gather information. “Balloon payloads can now weigh less and so the balloons can be smaller, cheaper and easier to launch” than satellites, Layton said. Intelligence data collected by the balloon could be relayed in real time via a satellite link back to China, Layton said. “There’s at least some possibility that this was a mistake and the balloon ended up somewhere Beijing didn’t expect,” Herzinger said.

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History of this topic

Taiwan reports sighting of Chinese balloon near island
1 month ago

Taiwan reports sighting of Chinese balloon near island

Al Jazeera  

Taipei’s defence ministry says 12 Chinese military aircraft and seven warships were detected until early Monday. Taiwan’s defence ministry has reported that a Chinese balloon had been detected over the sea to the island’s northwest, the first time since April it has flagged such an incident. It entered the island’s air defence identification zone and disappeared at 8:15pm, according to …

China balloon spotted near Taiwan amid rising tensions before presidential polls
1 month ago

China balloon spotted near Taiwan amid rising tensions before presidential polls

India Today  

Taiwan's defence ministry on Monday reported that a Chinese balloon had been detected over the sea to Taiwan's north, the first time since April it has reported such an incident in what Taipei views as part of a pattern of harassment by Beijing. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, complained that in the weeks leading up to its …

US fighter jets intercept high-altitude balloon over Utah, military says 'poses no threat'
10 months ago

US fighter jets intercept high-altitude balloon over Utah, military says 'poses no threat'

India TV News  

Utah: The US military intercepted a small balloon over the state of Utah on Friday and determined that it posed no threat to civil aviation or to national security. No threat to national security The appearance of the balloon comes just over a year after a US fighter jet off the coast of South Carolina dramatically shot down what it …

US military tracking high-altitude balloon flying over Western US
10 months ago

US military tracking high-altitude balloon flying over Western US

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The US military is …

A small, nonthreatening balloon was intercepted by a fighter jet over Utah
10 months ago

A small, nonthreatening balloon was intercepted by a fighter jet over Utah

Associated Press  

SALT LAKE CITY — A small, nonthreatening balloon spotted flying high over the mountainous Western United States was intercepted by a fighter jet over Utah on Friday, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. FILE - In this image provided by the Department of Defense, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, a U.S. Air Force U-2 pilot looks down at a …

Taiwan says six Chinese balloons flew through its airspace; warplanes and ships also detected
11 months ago

Taiwan says six Chinese balloons flew through its airspace; warplanes and ships also detected

The Hindu  

Taiwan said on January 22 that six Chinese balloons either flew over the island or through airspace just north of it, while Chinese warplanes and navy ships were also detected in the area. The Defense Ministry noted the balloon sightings on a list of Chinese People’s Liberation Army activity in the waters and airspace around Taiwan. In the U.S. early …

Taiwan says 6 Chinese balloons flew through its airspace and warplanes and ships also detected
11 months ago

Taiwan says 6 Chinese balloons flew through its airspace and warplanes and ships also detected

Associated Press  

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan said Monday that six Chinese balloons either flew over the island or through airspace just north of it, while Chinese warplanes and navy ships were also detected in the area. The Defense Ministry noted the balloon sightings on a list of Chinese People’s Liberation Army activity in the waters and airspace around Taiwan. China’s campaign of …

Taiwan spots more Chinese balloons, says one flew over island
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Taiwan spots more Chinese balloons, says one flew over island

The Hindu  

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it had detected three more Chinese balloons flying across the Taiwan Strait, on January 3, and one of those flew over the island, the second day in a row it has reported such activity. Taiwan's Defence Ministry has since last month reported several instances of Chinese balloons flying over the sensitive Taiwan Strait, then crossing airspace …

China’s Balloons Are Back. This Time They Are Over Taiwan.
11 months, 3 weeks ago

China’s Balloons Are Back. This Time They Are Over Taiwan.

Live Mint  

TAIPEI—Nearly a year after the appearance of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the U.S. sent relations between Beijing and Washington into free fall, high-altitude balloons from China have again been spotted floating over sensitive territory. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said it detected a Chinese balloon flying over the island on Monday, followed by three more balloons on Tuesday. …

Taiwan spots 4 Chinese balloons in airspace weeks ahead of presidential election
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Taiwan spots 4 Chinese balloons in airspace weeks ahead of presidential election

Live Mint  

Taiwan spotted a series of unprecedented incursions by Chinese weather balloons this month as the island gears up for its upcoming presidential election, according to a Bloomberg report. Four Chinese balloons were spotted on a northeast trajectory between 8:27 a.m. and 6:41 p.m. on January 2, just a month after Taiwan began publicly disclosing such data, the report said. An …

Taiwan claims Chinese balloons near its territory
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Taiwan claims Chinese balloons near its territory

The Hindu  

Two Chinese balloons were detected moving across the median line separating Taiwan from China, with one flying directly above the island, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said on January 2. The balloons were seen crossing the median line over the Taiwan Strait — a sensitive waterway separating the island from China — late on Monday at two locations, one near …

Chinese spy balloon used American internet provider: US
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Chinese spy balloon used American internet provider: US

Live Mint  

A US official revealed that the Chinese spy balloon, which traversed the United States in early 2023, used an American internet service provider to transmit periodic data related to navigation and location back to China, CNN reported. While the identity of the specific internet service provider remains undisclosed, CNN was informed that the balloon could communicate with Beijing as it …

Two Chinese balloons spotted near Taiwan territory ahead of presidential election
1 year ago

Two Chinese balloons spotted near Taiwan territory ahead of presidential election

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two Chinese balloons flew north …

Taiwan reports 2 Chinese balloons near its territory as China steps up pressure ahead of elections
1 year ago

Taiwan reports 2 Chinese balloons near its territory as China steps up pressure ahead of elections

Associated Press  

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Two Chinese balloons flew north of Taiwan, the island’s Defense Ministry said Monday, as China increases pressure on the self-ruled territory it claims as its own ahead of a presidential election in January. The balloons crossed the sensitive Taiwan Strait separating the island from China and were detected about 110 nautical miles northwest of the northern port …

Chinese 'spy' balloons spotted near Taiwanese as China steps up pressure ahead of elections
1 year ago

Chinese 'spy' balloons spotted near Taiwanese as China steps up pressure ahead of elections

India TV News  

In yet another incident of Chinese balloons infiltrating a Taiwanese island, the defence ministry claimed at least two Chinese balloons flew north of Taiwan on Sunday. According to the Defence Ministry, The balloons crossed the sensitive Taiwan Strait separating the island from China and were detected about 110 nautical miles northwest of the northern port city of Keelung on Sunday. …

Taiwan says it spotted a Chinese surveillance balloon as the island’s election nears
1 year ago

Taiwan says it spotted a Chinese surveillance balloon as the island’s election nears

Associated Press  

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s Defense Ministry says it spotted a Chinese surveillance balloon in the Taiwan Strait along with a large-scale movement of military aircraft and ships. The ministry referred to it both as a ”PLA surveillance balloon” and as “PRC’s balloon,” using the acronym for the People’s Republic of China, China’s official name. China’s Defense Ministry offered no comment, …

China's Spy Balloon in US: Intelligence agents share intimate details about February incident
1 year, 3 months ago

China's Spy Balloon in US: Intelligence agents share intimate details about February incident

Hindustan Times  

Truth about the Chinese spy balloon has been uncovered by US intelligence. The Chinese spy balloon incident in February had caused much furore in international arena. Pilot's Selfie With Chinese Spy Balloon: US Air Force pilot looks down at the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon. The alleged Chinese spy balloon was downed by the US Air Force fighter aircraft, over the …

Did US deviate from usual sanctions after China balloon incursion? GOP chairman subpoenas documents
1 year, 5 months ago

Did US deviate from usual sanctions after China balloon incursion? GOP chairman subpoenas documents

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The House Foreign Affairs chairman said Wednesday he subpoenaed the State Department for classified documents that could indicate whether the U.S. deviated from its plans for sanctioning China after a Chinese surveillance balloon traversed sensitive military sites across North America Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said he has subpoenaed the department’s “competitive actions” calendars, a classified list of actions …

Chinese spy balloons spotted over Asia, report
1 year, 5 months ago

Chinese spy balloons spotted over Asia, report

Live Mint  

Months after the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon off the US coast, a few more such airships were spotted over Japan and Taiwan lately, reported the British media broadcaster, BBC on Monday. Based on the pieces of evidence collected by an artificial intelligence company, BBC reported the presence of China's spy balloon program in the Asian subcontinent. In …

Leaked Intelligence Doc Says US Officials Aware of Four Additional Chinese Spy Balloons: Report
1 year, 8 months ago

Leaked Intelligence Doc Says US Officials Aware of Four Additional Chinese Spy Balloons: Report

News 18  

US intelligence officials were aware of four additional Chinese spy balloons, apart from the one that flew over the North American space and was shot down earlier in February, a report has said. The Washington Post, quoting leaked Pentagon documents, said that apart from the prominently reported China spy balloon incident, a second balloon flew over an American carrier strike …

US intelligence was aware of four extra Chinese spy balloons, leaked Pentagon data reveals
1 year, 8 months ago

US intelligence was aware of four extra Chinese spy balloons, leaked Pentagon data reveals

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy US intelligence agencies were reportedly aware of four extra Chinese …

Taiwan highly vulnerable to Chinese air attack, leaked documents show
1 year, 8 months ago

Taiwan highly vulnerable to Chinese air attack, leaked documents show

The Telegraph  

However, the intelligence does also suggest that Beijing would struggle to sustain a foothold on Taiwan, allowing an opening for the US, Taiwan and its allies to quickly thwart an invasion. ‘Sending fake aid workers’ Meanwhile, a senior Tory MP warned that Beijing could attempt to covertly invade Taiwan by sending fake aid workers in the aftermath of a typhoon. …

China stalls US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Beijing visit over US investigation into its 'spy balloon'
1 year, 8 months ago

China stalls US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Beijing visit over US investigation into its 'spy balloon'

ABC  

China has refused to let US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visit Beijing over concerns the FBI will release the results of an investigation into the downed suspected Chinese spy balloon, according to a report in the Financial Times. Key points: China is stalling while it remains unclear what US would do with the information from the FBI report, four …

US shared clues after downing Chinese balloon
1 year, 8 months ago

US shared clues after downing Chinese balloon

Hindustan Times  

Two months after the US shot down a giant Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina, a top American military official on Monday said that the United States Air Force shared some details of the incident, including how the airship was brought down and the tactical challenges involved, with several air forces, including the Indian Air Force. He …

Discussed shooting down of Chinese spy balloon with India, says U.S. General
1 year, 8 months ago

Discussed shooting down of Chinese spy balloon with India, says U.S. General

The Hindu  

The U.S. has discussed the shooting down of the Chinese spy balloon with India and the challenges involved in its taking down, according to General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, Commander, U.S. Pacific Air Forces. He also said that for the first time ever, two B-1 long range bombers of the U.S. Air Force will join the bilateral air exercise Cope India …

Still assessing what exactly intel China was able to gather from spy balloon, says Pentagon
1 year, 8 months ago

Still assessing what exactly intel China was able to gather from spy balloon, says Pentagon

Firstpost  

The comments from the Pentagon came after a media report said the Chinese spy balloon gathered information about some of the US military sites through electronic signals. Washington: The United States has said it is still doing an assessment of what exactly intelligence information China was able to gather from its spy balloon that flew over sensitive American military sites …

Chinese spy balloon sent data about US military sites back to Beijing
1 year, 8 months ago

Chinese spy balloon sent data about US military sites back to Beijing

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Chinese spy balloon that passed through American airspace in …

Chinese spy balloon gathered information from sensitive U.S. military sites, says report
1 year, 8 months ago

Chinese spy balloon gathered information from sensitive U.S. military sites, says report

The Hindu  

A Chinese spy balloon that flew across the U.S. was able to gather intelligence from several sensitive American military sites and transmit it back to Beijing in real-time, despite the Biden administration's efforts to block it, a media report said on April 3. A suspected Chinese spy balloon said to be the size of three buses, was spotted over the …

Chinese spy balloon gathered intelligence from sensitive US military sites: Report
1 year, 8 months ago

Chinese spy balloon gathered intelligence from sensitive US military sites: Report

India TV News  

Chinese spy balloons row: Nearly three months after the first Chinese spy balloon was detected over the skies of the United States, senior US officials claimed it had gathered intelligence from several sensitive American military sites. Chinese spy balloon row It is worth mentioning an alleged Chinese "spy balloon" was detected hovering over the skies of the United States on …

Indian Army charts SOP to deal with spy balloons in future
1 year, 9 months ago

Indian Army charts SOP to deal with spy balloons in future

Firstpost  

The Indian military is reportedly planning to consolidate the planned response to suspected Chinese spy balloons and put forward a presentation to the government of India for final approval New Delhi: Weeks after global outrage over a suspected Chinese spy balloon in the United States, the Indian defence forces have started preparing standard operating procedures to deal with a similar …

The Chinese balloon saga could be part of a new space race closer to Earth
1 year, 9 months ago

The Chinese balloon saga could be part of a new space race closer to Earth

NPR  

The Chinese balloon saga could be part of a new space race closer to Earth Enlarge this image toggle caption Chad Fish/AP Chad Fish/AP TAIPEI, Taiwan — Back in March 2018, Chinese officials and key state scientists gathered in Beijing to celebrate the start of a new front in research: near space. These airships, officials and researchers say, are not …

Dutch cop monitoring “spy balloon” realizes it’s bird poo on his windshield
1 year, 9 months ago

Dutch cop monitoring “spy balloon” realizes it’s bird poo on his windshield

NL Times  

A police officer in Boxtel joked on social media about his moment while driving that he was concerned that the Noord-Brabant city was the subject of international espionage. “During my surveillance rounds, my eyes fell on a suspected ‘spy balloon’ above my neighborhood,” the community police officer wrote. “I decided to keep following the balloon, and it soon became clear …

US refused to share information on downed Chinese balloon, says China
1 year, 10 months ago

US refused to share information on downed Chinese balloon, says China

India Today  

China's foreign ministry said on Friday that the United States had refused to reply to a Chinese request for information on the balloon that it had shot downed off the coast of South Carolina earlier this month. The Chinese balloon, which Beijing denies was a government spy vessel, spent a week flying over the United States and Canada before President …

Pentagon releases pilot's close-up photo of Chinese balloon
1 year, 10 months ago

Pentagon releases pilot's close-up photo of Chinese balloon

ABC  

A U-2 pilot flying high above the Chinese spy balloon took a close-up photo of the large white orb just a day before the Air Force shot it down off the South Carolina coast. Key points: The balloon was shot down earlier this month by the US Air Force Afterwards, the Pentagon said Navy ships and submersibles recovered the massive …

US Air Force releases new image of suspected Chinese spy balloon
1 year, 10 months ago

US Air Force releases new image of suspected Chinese spy balloon

Al Jazeera  

The photograph was taken from the cockpit of a U-2 spy plane as it flew above the alleged surveillance balloon on February 3. The United States Department of Defence has released a new photo depicting a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon as it travelled across North America earlier this month, igniting a political firestorm. According to the Department of Defence, the …

A Chinese spy balloon, missiles and ‘UFOs’: What we’ve learned about string of objects shot down by the US
1 year, 10 months ago

A Chinese spy balloon, missiles and ‘UFOs’: What we’ve learned about string of objects shot down by the US

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Before President Joe Biden ordered the US military to shoot …

US used excessive force in handling Chinese balloon incident, damaged ties: Wang to Blinken
1 year, 10 months ago

US used excessive force in handling Chinese balloon incident, damaged ties: Wang to Blinken

Hindustan Times  

Beijing: Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi has told US secretary of state Antony Blinken that the US used “excessive” force in handling the balloon incident and urged Washington to repair the damage its aftermath has caused to bilateral ties. “Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged the US side to change course, acknowledge …

Blinken meets Yi at Munich Conference; says 'US neither wants conflict with China nor new Cold War'
1 year, 10 months ago

Blinken meets Yi at Munich Conference; says 'US neither wants conflict with China nor new Cold War'

India TV News  

Chinese 'spy balloons' row: The top officials of the United States and China met for the first time in Germany following massive tension that erupted after several alleged "spy balloons" were detected over the skies of America. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who was currently in Munich for a security conference spoke to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on …

Top U.S., China officials trade accusations over ‘spy balloon’
1 year, 10 months ago

Top U.S., China officials trade accusations over ‘spy balloon’

The Hindu  

Top diplomats of the U.S. and China have held their first talks following the recent crisis in relations over the shooting down of a Chinese “spy balloon”, with both sides trading accusations over the incident. Mr. Blinken “directly spoke to the unacceptable violation of U.S. sovereignty and international law by the PRC high-altitude surveillance balloon in U.S. territorial airspace, underscoring …

China blasts US over ‘hysterical’ balloon claim
1 year, 10 months ago

China blasts US over ‘hysterical’ balloon claim

Al Jazeera  

Chinese FM Wang Yi describes Washington’s use of a missile to shoot down the balloon as ‘unbelievable’. China’s top diplomat accused the United States of violating international norms with “hysterical” behaviour, as a running spat over a suspected Chinese spy balloon bubbled to the fore at a global security conference in Munich. Addressing a gathering of world leaders at the …

Spy balloon: Hobbyists say $12 pico balloon may have been shot down by US as Biden rules out China
1 year, 10 months ago

Spy balloon: Hobbyists say $12 pico balloon may have been shot down by US as Biden rules out China

The Independent  

✕ Close US shoots down four ‘flying objects’: What we know so far The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events …

Taiwan reports Chinese balloon found on northern island
1 year, 10 months ago

Taiwan reports Chinese balloon found on northern island

Associated Press  

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s Defense Ministry says a Chinese weather balloon landed on one of its outlying islands, amid U.S. accusations that such craft have been dispatched worldwide to spy on Washington and its allies. Information on the equipment was written in the simplified Chinese characters used on the mainland rather than the traditional on Taiwan, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said. …

No indication that three objects shot down by US linked to Chinese spy balloon programme: Joe Biden
1 year, 10 months ago

No indication that three objects shot down by US linked to Chinese spy balloon programme: Joe Biden

Firstpost  

Washington: The three high-flying objects which were shot down over the American and Canadian airspace this month were not related to the Chinese balloon programme, but most likely tied to private companies, recreation, or research institutions, US President Joe Biden said Thursday. “We don’t yet know exactly what these three objects were, but nothing right now suggests they were related …

Biden wants ‘sharper rules’ on unknown aerial objects
1 year, 10 months ago

Biden wants ‘sharper rules’ on unknown aerial objects

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Thursday that the U.S. is developing “sharper rules” to track, monitor and potentially shoot down unknown aerial objects, following three weeks of high-stakes drama sparked by the discovery of a suspected Chinese spy balloon transiting much of the country. The president has directed national security adviser Jake Sullivan to lead an “interagency team” to …

US completes recovery of downed Chinese balloon debris
1 year, 10 months ago

US completes recovery of downed Chinese balloon debris

Al Jazeera  

US officials say that analysis of debris confirms suspicions that balloon was for surveillance, which China denies. The United States has completed efforts to recover debris from a large Chinese balloon that the US shot down off the coast of South Carolina earlier this month, with analysis so far indicating it was used for surveillance, which China has denied. Officials …

Hobby group worried that F-22’s Sidewinder missile destroyed research balloon
1 year, 10 months ago

Hobby group worried that F-22’s Sidewinder missile destroyed research balloon

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Students learn how to …

Shot down over Ukraine, the Russian spy balloons becoming Putin’s new line of attack
1 year, 10 months ago

Shot down over Ukraine, the Russian spy balloons becoming Putin’s new line of attack

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The two white balloons over a village near Kyiv …

China blasts U.S. over response to balloon incursion
1 year, 10 months ago

China blasts U.S. over response to balloon incursion

The Hindu  

China's Parliament has accused American law-makers of trampling on the sovereignty of other nations after the U.S. passed a measure condemning a suspected Chinese spy balloon's intrusion into U.S. airspace. A statement issued on February 16 by the National People's Congress's Foreign Affairs Committee repeated Beijing’s insistence that the balloon was an unmanned civilian weather research airship, a claim the …

Balloons, ‘objects’ – what’s in the sky above the US?
1 year, 10 months ago

Balloons, ‘objects’ – what’s in the sky above the US?

Al Jazeera  

US airspace is increasingly crowded, not all of it is regulated, and with so much up there, it’s not easy to track it all. Los Angeles, California – The United States military shot down a flurry of objects this month: a large object it identified as a Chinese surveillance balloon followed by three smaller objects that the government said might …

Biden says 3 downed objects were probably tied to scientific research
1 year, 10 months ago

Biden says 3 downed objects were probably tied to scientific research

LA Times  

President Biden discusses his administration’s decision to shoot down a Chinese balloon and three other aerial objects recently on Thursday at the White House. The mysterious objects U.S. fighter jets shot down over North America in recent days were probably balloons tied to private scientific research and have no connection to the large Chinese balloon the U.S. military destroyed off …

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