Chinese Army controls ‘spy’ balloons, able to accumulating communication alerts: US

The US has mentioned that China has a fleet of surveillance balloons and has deployed spy balloons in over 40 nations.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 23:42 IST

A Chinese spy balloon just lately floated over nuclear silos within the United States and was later shot down (Photo: Reuters)

By India Today Web Desk: The United States mentioned that the suspected spy balloon, deployed by China, was able to accumulating communication alerts and was a part of a fleet of balloons flown by China throughout 40 nations.

The big white orb was shot down by a US fighter jet on Sunday off the coast of South Carolina within the Atlantic Ocean. It had hovered over delicate areas reminiscent of Montana’s nuclear launch pad base.

“We know the PRC [People’s Republic of China] has overflown these surveillance balloons across more than 40 countries across five continents. The Biden Administration is reaching out to countries directly about the scope of this programme and answering any questions,” a senior State Department official mentioned on Thursday.

The official additional mentioned the US is aware of that the balloons are all a part of China’s fleet of balloons developed to conduct surveillance operations.

“These kinds of activities are often undertaken at the direction of the People’s Liberation Army [PLA],” mentioned the official.

READ | Why did China’s balloon over America increase alarms of spying?

The official mentioned that the US is assured that the balloon producer has a direct relationship with China’s army and is an authorised vendor of the PLA, in keeping with data revealed in an official procurement portal for the PLA.

China has acknowledged that the balloon was theirs however denied that it was for surveillance functions moderately than climate analysis and that it had drifted off beam.

Beijing has alleged that the US has violated worldwide regulation by capturing down its balloon.

READ | What is a spy balloon? The WW-II relic China has repurposed

Responding to questions at a overseas ministry briefing in Beijing, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning mentioned that she had not heard of China possessing a “fleet of balloons.”

“I am not aware of any fleet of balloons,” Mao mentioned.

“That narrative is probably part of the information and public opinion warfare the US has waged on China. As to who is the world’s number one country for spying, eavesdropping, and surveillance, that is plainly visible to the international community,” she mentioned, referring to the US.

(With inputs from PTI)

READ | Not solely US, Chinese spy balloons focused India, Japan: Report

Published On:

Feb 9, 2023