Chinese surveillance Balloon violates U.S. airspace, international law – Pentagon

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Chinese Surveillance balloon causes row with U.S
The surveillance balloon believed to be from China

 

Admin l Friday, February 3, 2023

 

PENTAGON – The United States has said that the alleged Chinese floating surveillance balloon hovering over its territory as unacceptable, stressing that it violates U.S. airspace and international law.

Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, who made the revelation in an on camera media briefing a s of noon today, the maneuverable Chinese surveillance balloon, which was over Montana yesterday, was at an altitude of about 60,000 feet and floating over the center of the continental United States in an easterly direction, posing no risk to commercial aviation, military assets or people on the ground.

He said the North American Aerospace Defense Command is continuing to monitor the situation and that leaders are reviewing options Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

“The balloon has violated U.S. airspace and international law, which is unacceptable,” he said, adding that the U.S. has communicated that to Chinese leaders at multiple levels.

The balloon is carrying surveillance gear as well as a payload, Ryder said, not elaborating about the payload.

A reason not to shoot it down at this point, he said, is that besides not posing a threat to people or aircraft, the resulting debris from a strike of this large balloon could be harmful to people on the ground and result in property damage.

The balloon most likely will continue floating over the U.S. for the next few days and updates will be provided as needed, he said.

“Once the balloon was detected, we acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information,” he added.

 

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