US reveals China’s true intent with the spy balloon
After shooting down the Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic off the Carolina coast, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed China’s intent in sending it.
Last Wednesday, a Chinese surveillance balloon was detected over the territory of the United States, specifically Montana, reported the Pentagon. It traveled over the center of the country following weather patterns before leaving the continent and being shot down this Saturday.
President Joe Biden ordered the move and it was supported by the US military, an official told CNN. The ‘Chinese spy balloon’ was shot down by fighter jets off the east coast over the Atlantic Ocean. The device was shot down just east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Subsequently, recovery efforts began to be able to study the aircraft.
Prior to the military operation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a ground stop for airports in Wilmington, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It also restricted airspace near Myrtle Beach “to support the Department of Defense in a national security effort.” The air stop order was extended until 5:15 pm ET.
US reveals China’s true intent with the spy balloon
Since it was detected, the US government maintained the version that it was a surveillance balloon. However, the Chinese government claimed it was a civilian weather balloon that veered off course. The United States has rejected that claim. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Friday that officials were “confident” it was a surveillance balloon.
After the Chinese balloon was shot down, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that it “was being used by the PRC in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States.”
According to the statement, President Biden gave his authorization to shoot down the surveillance balloon as early as Wednesday. However, the plan was not carried out until this Saturday after it was confirmed that it did not pose a risk to the US population under the balloon’s path.
“After careful analysis, U.S. military commanders had determined downing the balloon while over land posed an undue risk to people across a wide area due to the size and altitude of the balloon and its surveillance payload,” Austin’s statement said.
The statement also clarifies that this action was taken in coordination with and with the full support of the Canadian government. “Today’s deliberate and lawful action demonstrates that President Biden and his national security team will always put the safety and security of the American people first while responding effectively to the PRC’s unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,” the statement concludes.