The so-called spy balloon from China was part of an extensive spy program under the auspices of the Chinese authorities, American intelligence informs The Washington Post. Photo: Chad Fish / AP / NTB
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8. feb. 2023 09:56 – Updated 8 Feb. 2023 09:56
The so-called spy balloon from China that was recently shot down over the United States was part of an extensive spying program, sources tell The Washington Post newspaper.
China has claimed it was a civilian weather balloon that went astray. The US, for its part, claims it was a spy balloon that collected intelligence information.
At the weekend, the balloon was shot down over the US east coast, to strong protests from China, which believes it is a serious breach of international practice.
American intelligence links the balloon to an extensive spying program run by the authorities in China, write The Washington Post.
The spy program has for many years collected information from military facilities in several countries using such balloons, several US intelligence officials told the newspaper. They wish to remain anonymous.
Such balloons have collected information on five continents, according to the sources.
– The Chinese have taken an ancient technology and used it together with modern communication and observation equipment. It is a comprehensive investment, says an official.
The Chinese balloon caused US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a planned visit to China. This was justified by the fact that he did not want the case to take all the attention during the visit.
