A senior official from the US State Department announced on the 9th that a Chinese reconnaissance balloon had entered US airspace and was equipped with equipment capable of collecting information by intercepting radio signals. The official emphasized that this contradicts the Chinese government's assertion that it was a "civilian airship for weather observation.
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| US military plane shot down a balloon and it falls in South Carolina, on February 4, 2023. (REUTERS) |
An analysis of a photo taken by a US military reconnaissance plane, U2, showed that the balloon was equipped with multiple antennas and was capable of collecting communication and identifying location information, as well as having a solar panel to power its information-gathering sensors. The official stated that these activities are often conducted under the direction of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Additionally, the balloons were manufactured by a Chinese company connected to the People's Liberation Army, and the US is reportedly considering taking action against these companies. The official also noted that China has previously carried out similar balloon reconnaissance over more than 40 countries on five continents.
At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Deputy Secretary of State Sherman commented, "China's irresponsible behavior highlights the fact that it is becoming increasingly repressive domestically and aggressive internationally."
The US State Department official accused a Chinese reconnaissance balloon of intruding into US airspace and collecting information by intercepting radio signals. The official said that this contradicts the Chinese government's claim that the balloon was a "civilian airship for weather observation."
According to the official, the balloon was equipped with multiple antennas and was capable of collecting communications and identifying location information, powered by a solar panel. The balloons were manufactured by a Chinese company with ties to the People's Liberation Army, leading the official to suggest that such activities were often carried out under the direction of the Chinese military.
In response to these allegations, the US is considering taking action against the companies involved in the manufacturing of the balloons. The deputy secretary of state also accused China of becoming more repressive at home and more aggressive abroad, and called their actions "irresponsible."
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