Topline
A suspected Chinese spy balloon is flying over the U.S., though its current location and exact capabilities remain unclear, the Pentagon told multiple news outlets Thursday, just days before the U.S. Secretary of State is scheduled to make a high-profile trip to China.
President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Nusa … [+]
Key Facts
Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told NBC News the object is a “a high-altitude surveillance balloon” that officials are monitoring closely.
The balloon was seen Wednesday over Billings, Montana, after crossing the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and going over Canada, according to NBC News.
President Joe Biden proposed shooting down the balloon Wednesday but the Pentagon opted against the move due to the potential for civilian casualties, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing officials with knowledge of the matter.
A senior official told ABC News the balloon is the size of three buses and possesses a technology bay.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
Crucial Quote
“Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information,” Ryder told NBC News.
Key Background
The balloon spotting comes just days ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s planned trip to China, which is expected to include a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to the Financial Times. The meeting will likely include top-level talks as the U.S. and China look to potentially ease years of growing tensions that have prompted concerns about stability in east Asia, particularly Taiwan. It is not clear whether the balloon’s presence might change Blinken’s travel plans.
Further Reading
U.S. Tracked Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon Over America This Week (Wall Street Journal)
Suspected Chinese spy balloon found over northern U.S. (NBC News)
Chinese spy balloon surveilling US, senior official says (ABC News)
Antony Blinken to meet Xi Jinping in first visit to China by a Biden cabinet secretary (Financial Times)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2023/02/02/chinese-spy-balloon-hovering-over-us-pentagon-says/