Chinese spy balloon tracked by Pentagon in US. Details here

A suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon was tracked over the United States which may further strain US-China relations, according to reports. Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon was tracked for several days as it made its way over the northern United States. It was traveling above commercial air traffic altitude.

President Joe Biden has been advised by senior military officials to not shoot it down because the debris could pose a safety threat to people on the ground, according to a CNN report.

The US official said that they were taking steps to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information and continue to monitor the balloon as it was over the continental United States.


According to the official, the US government was in talks with the Chinese government both through its embassy in Washington and the US diplomatic mission in China.


While warning about Chinese espionage efforts, US national security official said the balloon’s presence in the US comes ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to Beijing in the coming days a significant trip meant to follow up on last year's President Joe Biden’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

President Biden has declared China as America’s most consequential geopolitical challenge and the two global superpowers are in intense competition.

In recent years tensions between the two have flared over the self-governing island of Taiwan, China’s human rights record, and its military actions in the South China Sea, among a host of other issues.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing was aware of reports of the incident but warned against "deliberate speculation". He further added that China is a responsible country and it acts by international law and they do not intend to violate any other country's airspace. Also, China warned against speculation and 'hype' and wait until the facts are verified.

FAQs:

1. What is Pentagon?
   Pentagon serves as the headquarters of all three military services of the US - Army, Navy, and Air Force.
2. Who is expected to travel to Beijing?
   US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.