Chinese balloons suspected of being used for reconnaissance over the U.S. mainland have the ability to collect communications signals, a U.S. State Department official said Monday. He pointed out that the act of launching such balloons is part of a wide-ranging intelligence-gathering operation by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, covering more than 40 countries and regions.
The official provided the document on condition of anonymity. High-resolution images from a U2 reconnaissance plane that flew near the balloon showed that the balloon was equipped with numerous reconnaissance devices that contradicted China’s claim that it was a weather survey device. .
The documents presented by officials are the most detailed explanation yet of the balloons, which the Biden administration has insisted are for U.S. surveillance purposes. Officials from the State and Defense Departments will testify at a congressional hearing on the balloon on Wednesday.
In an interview with CBS News, Secretary of Defense Austin said the balloons could collect information about U.S. nuclear capabilities, and that steps were taken to limit the collection. Chinese balloons have flown over the United States in recent years, he said, passing over Texas and Florida.
news-rsf-original-reference paywall">Original title:China’s Balloon Was Capable of Spying on Communications, US Says(excerpt)
