The United States has been tracking an alleged Chinese spy balloon on American soil for several days, the country’s military authorities said. There were also plans to shoot down the aircraft.
US services have been following the balloon since it entered US airspace via Canada a few days ago, including by manned military aircraft. The balloon would be in the stratosphere.
“It is clear that the purpose of this balloon is espionage,” an unnamed senior US defense official told Reuters news agency.
Sensitive information
Once the balloon was discovered, the US government said it took immediate action to prevent the collection of sensitive information. At one point it was thought to shoot the balloon from the sky. Those plans were shelved due to the risk of falling debris.
The incident shows how far both superpowers will go to spy on each other amid rising tensions.
Source: BNR
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