US says downed Chinese balloon is part of surveillance plan developed over ‘several years’
- Pentagon says Chinese balloons of various sizes and capabilities have been operating in skies above ‘at least five continents’ including South America
- Beijing has been trying to enhance its information collection and gain intelligence insight, adds National Security Council spokesman
The unmanned balloon flying above American skies pointed to a “concerted effort” by China to develop its capability for additional surveillance assets over countries without their permission and knowledge, said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
“This is a programme that the Chinese have been working on for several years. They have been trying to improve it, and grow it, and increase it and to gain intelligence insight from it,” Kirby said on Wednesday.
The Pentagon on Wednesday offered an identical assessment. Brigadier General Pat Ryder said “what we now subsequently assess to be Chinese balloons [have been] operating over at least five continents in regions like Latin America, South America, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Europe”.
Ryder said the other balloons “share the common characteristic of being surveillance balloons”, varying in size and capability.
But he reiterated recent Pentagon statements that the ability of the suspected Chinese spy balloon to collect information did not afford a greater “advantage” to China compared to its other capabilities known to the US.
The Pentagon said in a 2022 report to Congress that China had developed military satellites able to support monitoring, tracking and targeting of US and allied forces.
Xi, Biden stake claims in China-US rivalry by touting opposing systems
Stoltenberg said the flight of the balloon confirmed a pattern of Chinese behaviour in building up new military capabilities. China had also increased intelligence activities in Europe, he said.
“We need to be aware of the constant risk of Chinese intelligence, and then step up what we do to protect ourselves,” he said.
Asked about Beijing’s response to Washington’s outreach, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday: “It is hoped that the US will communicate with other countries based on facts.”
‘Spy’ balloon row: no point in Blinken visit, senior Chinese diplomat says
Ryder on Wednesday expressed confidence that the balloon flying over the US was for surveillance purposes, rejecting Beijing’s claim it was an “unmanned civilian airship”.
“If in fact, it was a civilian balloon, a weather balloon, and it was approaching a sovereign nation about to enter their airspace, a responsible nation would have put out some kind of public statement saying, ‘hey, heads up, this is heading your way’,” Ryder said.
“The PRC did not do that. They didn’t respond until after they were called out,” he said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
US lawmakers urged to boost trade blocs, alliances after Chinese balloon row
Late on Wednesday, Biden during a an interview with PBS again rejected the idea that shooting down the balloon had made Sino-US relations worse.
Hours before Biden’s speech on Tuesday, the Chinese embassy in Washington conveyed its concern to senior officials at the US State Department and the National Security Council over the balloon’s downing.
“We urge the US side not to take any actions that may escalate and complicate the situation,” the embassy said.
