FBI Finds New Information About Chinese Spy Balloon

We’re studying new details about the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday. A State Department spokesperson mentioned the balloon was in a position to gather communications and information through a satellite tv for pc and had “multiple antennas” along with different tools used “clearly for intelligence surveillance,” Axios reported.

“We know the PRC (People’s Republic of China) used these balloons for surveillance,” the official mentioned, including, “High-resolution imagery from U-2 flybys revealed that the high-altitude balloon was capable of conducting signals intelligence collection operations.”

The alleged surveillance balloon was recovered from the ocean after being shot down and is now at an FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia the place authorities are analyzing the wreckage to find out what info China had obtained earlier than it was destroyed. An official instructed CNN that the FBI had solely obtained particles recovered from the ocean’s floor and included the “canopy itself, the wiring, and then a very small amount of electronics.” Large photo voltaic panels have been additionally discovered on the balloon which authorities officers say might energy “active intelligence collection sensors.”

First beginning in Alaska and Canada, the balloon made its method to Montana throughout the U.S., in a flight sample that authorities say introduced them immediately over a nuclear missile web site that hosts the U.S. Strategic Command and a army base that holds the B-2 stealth bomber.

“If you ask somebody to draw an X at every place where our sensitive missile defense sites, our nuclear weapons infrastructure, our nuclear weapon sites are, you would put them all along this path,” Rep. Mike Turner, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, mentioned on NBC News’ Meet the Press.

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Chinese authorities initially claimed the balloon was used for climate analysis and had blown off target, however the FBI’s findings enhanced the strains between U.S. and China relations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled to journey to China final week for a high-stakes assembly however canceled after the spy balloon made headway throughout the U.S.

Authorities have been instructed that the balloon was deployed with out Chinese President Xi Jinping’s information, sources acquainted with the matter instructed CNN, nevertheless it stays unclear what China hoped to attain.

A State Department official instructed the outlet that China “has overflown these surveillance balloons over more than 40 countries across five continents,” including, “the Biden Administration is reaching out to countries directly about the scope of this program and answer any questions.”

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee listening to on Thursday, saying this units a precedent for China, and reveals they aren’t dedicated to having peaceable relations.

“This irresponsible act put on full display what we’ve long recognized,” Sherman mentioned. “That the PRC has become more repressive at home and more aggressive abroad.”