What began with the downing of a Chinese balloon that had entered US airspace without permission has led to a succession of mysterious “flying objects” and a new factor of international tension.
The United States Department of Defense is currently unaware of the origin of the three devices shot down in the last three days in the United States and Canada and cannot yet confirm whether they are Chinese, as was the spy balloon shot down on the 4th.
China assured today that American balloons flew over the Asian country at least ten times during the last year and that it is common for this to happen.
The fact is that whether they are balloons or not, these objects have become a new factor of crisis between the United States and China.
The “spy” balloon
On February 2, the US Pentagon reported that it had detected a Chinese spy balloon flying over its territory at a high altitude that it did not represent “no military or physical risk” for anyone who is on the surface and specified that it was not the first time that he had observed the activity of balloons of this type in recent years.
The sighting of the balloon strained bilateral relations between China and the United States and caused the suspension of the trip to Beijing planned by the Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, considered by the North American administration a “unacceptable” violation of sovereignty and international law.
On February 4, the United States shot down the “spy balloon” and their remains fell into the sea, where they were collected by the US authorities. Since then, three other unidentified aircraft have been shot down by the US military, which has not yet been able to confirm whether they are also of Chinese origin.
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Timeline of takedowns
February 4.- The United States shoots down aspy balloon” Chinese that flew over its territory which causes a political crisis between the two countries and motivates the suspension of a trip that the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, had planned to make to the Asian country.
February 5.- China expresses a deepdissatisfaction and protest” considering that the United States “overreacted” for using force to bring down the “spy balloon”.
February 6.- China admits that the balloon belonged to it, although it assured that “is a civil airship used for research purposes, mainly meteorological”, which veered off course.
February 6.- The spokesman for the White House National Security Council, John Kirby, assures that, at the time when Donald Trump was president (2017-2021), at least three Chinese balloons flew over the United States.
February 8.- The United States accuses China of working for years on a “program” of spy balloons that have already flown over various regions, including Latin America, and that it is aware that five devices of this type have traveled over US territory.
February 9.- The Chinese Defense Ministry rejects a US proposal for high-level bilateral talks.
February 9.- The US House of Representatives passes a resolution condemning China for violating national sovereignty with its balloon.spy”.
February 9.- The United States assures that Chinese spy balloons have flown over more than 40 countries on five continents in a plan directly related to the Chinese Army.
February 10.- The United States shoots down another high-altitude object of unknown origin over Alaska.
February 11.- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that an object flying over the Yucon region in northwest Canada was shot down with the help of the United States.
February 12.- The United States shoots down another unidentified flying object over Lake Huron in Michigan.
February 13.- The United States Department of Defense does not know the origin of the three devices shot down in the last three days in the United States and Canada and cannot yet confirm if they are Chinese, as was the spy balloon shot down on the 4th.
China claims that American balloons have flown over the Asian country at least ten times in the last year.
Source: Gestion
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
