USA: Chinese balloon was for intelligence and its equipment was different from weather balloons

A senior US State Department official told reporters that they know that China has been flying surveillance balloons in more than 40 countries on 5 continents.

The senior State Department official, who claimed that high-resolution images taken from a U-2 aircraft as it flew in US airspace revealed that the balloon was capable of conducting signals intelligence-gathering operations He said: “The high-altitude balloon equipment was clearly for intelligence surveillance and its equipment was different from weather balloons. It had multiple antennas that could collect communication data and perform geopositioning. It was equipped with solar panels large enough to generate the power needed to run multiple active intelligence-gathering sensors.” saying.

The official said that this balloon is part of a Chinese balloon fleet developed to conduct intelligence operations, and that such activities are usually carried out by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

“We are confident that the balloon manufacturer has a direct relationship with the Chinese military and is an approved supplier of PLA. The company also advertises balloon products on its website and hosts videos of previous flights that appear to have entered the airspace of the United States or other countries. used his statements.

Noting that the US military sent a clear message to China by launching the balloon and seizing its module, the official said they would take action against the balloon and organizations associated with the Chinese military.

Arguing that China has not yet provided a reasonable explanation for why it is violating US sovereignty, the official said Beijing has also violated the sovereignty of Central and South American countries by flying balloons over Central and South American countries. South in recent years. days, and has not ruled on the matter.

The US military struck the balloon, which was detected in US airspace and claimed to be a Chinese spy balloon, off the coast of South Carolina on February 4. Collecting the remains, the US military continues to examine the balloon module.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed his visit to Beijing after a balloon was detected in US airspace. (AA)