It’s almost a Hollywood script in American skies. The Pentagon revealed yesterday, Thursday evening February 2, that a Chinese spy balloon was flying over the United States, and in particular certain sensitive military sites! Joe Biden himself reportedly considered shooting it down, but military authorities preferred not to because of the risk posed by the debris to those on the ground. And also because they believe that little really sensitive information has been collected.
It is a large white spherical airship, which has been flying over the United States beyond commercial air traffic for several days already, writes our correspondent in New York, Carrie Nooten. The machine is closely watched by the American aerospace defense authorities, the Norad. Arrived over Montana, near air bases and strategic missile silos, it was even joined by fighter planes.
Commissioned by Beijing
For Washington, there is no doubt: the spy is commanded by Beijing – it would not be by the way the first Chinese incursion into the American sky. Alerted, Joe Biden consulted his Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, to have him shot down, but the consequences of potential debris above inhabited areas were deemed too important in relation to the issue, since the information collected seemed n have little value.
Washington, however, raised the seriousness of the case with the Chinese authorities. And the incident will certainly be mentioned by the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, during his visit to Beijing on Sunday and next Monday.
” Second potential incident »
The Government of Canada mentioned on Friday, February 3, “ a second potential incident after Washington announced the presence of the first Chinese spy balloon in several days over the United States. ” Canadians are safe and Canada is taking steps to ensure the safety of its airspace, including monitoring for a potential second incident “said the Ministry of National Defense of Canada in a press release quoted by AFP.
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