Differences between Washington and Beijing are on their path to getting worse. The 'spy balloon' incident has prompted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to postpone his trip to China as the latter claimed the responsibility of it.

Soaring balloon, sinking ties? US' Blinken puts China visit on hold over 'spy balloon'

The Pentagon has spotted a 'Chinese Spy Balloon' flying over Montana. What data was it collecting? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Is China's espionage entering the next phase?

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a visit to China after a suspected Chinese spy balloon was tracked flying across the United States in what Washington called a 'clear violation' of U.S. sovereignty. Military leaders considered shooting down the high-altitude surveillance balloon on Wednesday but eventually recommended against this to President Joe Biden because of the safety risk from debris, officials said.

Blinken calls airspace breach a violation of US sovereignty

U.S. Secretary of State postpones China visit

The Pentagon said on Friday (February 3) that a Chinese balloon was seen flying over Latin America also, a day after a similar balloon was seen <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-says-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-in-us-airspace-is-civilian-airship-used-for-research-558615">in the United States</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-says-suspected-chinese-spy-balloon-in-us-airspace-is-civilian-airship-used-for-research-558615">skies</a>. According to a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said, "We are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America. We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon." &nbsp;

However, spokesperson Ryder did not specify the balloon's exact location in Latin America, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Pentagon said it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying high over the US. A senior defence official told reporters the balloon was for surveillance. The official added that at the request of President Joe Biden, officials considered shooting the balloon down but concluded doing so would endanger too many people on the ground.&nbsp;

Initially, the Chinese government did not identify the balloon's origins but later admitted the civilian craft was blown off course.&nbsp;

"The airship is from China and is civilian in nature, used for meteorological and other scientific research. Due to the influence of westerly winds and its limited control capability, the airship deviated from its intended course," the foreign ministry of China&nbsp;said in a statement late Friday.&nbsp;

"China regrets that the airship strayed into the United States by mistake due to force majeure. China will continue to maintain communication with the US side to properly handle this accident," it added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antony-blinkens-trip-to-beijing-postponed-over-alleged-chinese-spy-balloon-in-us-airspace-558653">Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing ‘postponed’ over alleged Chinese spy balloon in US airspace</a>

Meanwhile, US State Secretary Antony Blinken postponed his upcoming trip to China as he did not want the balloon issue to dominate his meetings with Chinese officials.&nbsp;

Addressing a joint press conference with South Korean foreign minister Park Jin on Friday, Blinken said that China's decision to fly a balloon over the US was both unacceptable and irresponsible.&nbsp;

"It's a violation of our sovereignty, it's a violation of international law, and it was very important that we, of course, take the actions we did to protect any sensitive information, to protect our people and to make clear to China that, again, this is an unacceptable as well as an irresponsible action," Blinken said, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

"What this has done is created the conditions that undermine the purpose of the trip, including ongoing efforts to build a floor under the relationship and to address a broad range of issues that are of concern to the American people, I believe to the Chinese people, and certainly as well to people around the world. So, we took the step that I announced earlier today in postponing the planned visit for this weekend," he added.&nbsp;

China hits out at American media, politicians over balloon incident

The Chinese government said on Saturday that&nbsp;US media and politicians had taken advantage of US allegations that&nbsp;China flew a spy balloon over American skies. Releasing a statement, the foreign ministry said, "China... never violated the territory and airspace of any sovereign country.&nbsp;Some politicians and media in the United States used the (balloon) incident as a pretext to attack and&nbsp;smear&nbsp;China."

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Pentagon said on Friday (February 3) that a Chinese balloon was seen flying over Latin America also, a day after a similar balloon was seen in the United States skies.

The Pentagon said on Friday (February 3) that a Chinese balloon was seen flying over Latin America also, a day after a similar balloon was seen in the United States skies. According to a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said, "We are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America. We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon." However, spokesperson Ryder did not specify the balloon's exact location in Latin America, news agency AFP reported. On Thursday, the Pentagon said it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying high over the US. A senior defence official told reporters the balloon was for surveillance. The official added that at the request of President Joe Biden, officials considered shooting the balloon down but concluded doing so would endanger too many people on the ground. Initially, the Chinese government did not identify the balloon's origins but later admitted the civilian craft was blown off course. "The airship is from China and is civilian in nature, used for meteorological and other scientific research. Due to the influence of westerly winds and its limited control capability, the airship deviated from its intended course," the foreign ministry of China said in a statement late Friday. "China regrets that the airship strayed into the United States by mistake due to force majeure. China will continue to maintain communication with the US side to properly handle this accident," it added. ALSO READ | Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing ‘postponed’ over alleged Chinese spy balloon in US airspace Meanwhile, US State Secretary Antony Blinken postponed his upcoming trip to China as he did not want the balloon issue to dominate his meetings with Chinese officials. Addressing a joint press conference with South Korean foreign minister Park Jin on Friday, Blinken said that China's decision to fly a balloon over the US was both unacceptable and irresponsible. "It's a violation of our sovereignty, it's a violation of international law, and it was very important that we, of course, take the actions we did to protect any sensitive information, to protect our people and to make clear to China that, again, this is an unacceptable as well as an irresponsible action," Blinken said, news agency Reuters reported. "What this has done is created the conditions that undermine the purpose of the trip, including ongoing efforts to build a floor under the relationship and to address a broad range of issues that are of concern to the American people, I believe to the Chinese people, and certainly as well to people around the world. So, we took the step that I announced earlier today in postponing the planned visit for this weekend," he added. China hits out at American media, politicians over balloon incident The Chinese government said on Saturday that US media and politicians had taken advantage of US allegations that China flew a spy balloon over American skies. Releasing a statement, the foreign ministry said, "China... never violated the territory and airspace of any sovereign country. Some politicians and media in the United States used the (balloon) incident as a pretext to attack and smear China." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

After US, another Chinese balloon seen flying over Latin America: Pentagon

An explosion was reported in the sky over Billings city, Montana, where the alleged Chinese spy balloon was seen flying over a “number of sensitive sites”.&nbsp;The video shared on Twitter purportedly shows a trail of smoke in the sky where the balloon was last seen.

Dolly Moore, who took video of the scene, said she “saw a plane go by so fast and then explode in the sky.”&nbsp; It was not immediately clear if the explosion was the spy balloon burst.

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Ok, so here’s what I just caught I few minutes ago out my window. I saw a jet go by so fast and then explosion in the sky. Holy crap! Billings MT. <a href="https://t.co/swr8ERC6pf">pic.twitter.com/swr8ERC6pf</a>
— Dolly Moore (@MMtTreasures) <a href="https://twitter.com/MMtTreasures/status/1621661908205195265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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WION could not verify the authenticity of the video.

The US defence officials, however,&nbsp;clarified that the balloon over Montana has not exploded, according to the Daily Mail news outlet.

They said that the balloon, which is said to be about the size of three busies, is large enough that destroying it would rain down debris, risking the safety of people on the ground.

On Friday, US officials were alarmed over the giant Chinese balloon invading the US air space following which F-22 fight jets were mobilised to track the device&nbsp;as it hovered over Montana, which borders Canada.

<h2>Gravitas: Is China's espionage entering the next phase?</h2>

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According to local media, the balloon entered US airspace “a couple of days ago”, but the officials did not share the exact location.

“Montana plays a vital national security role by housing nuclear missile silos at Malmstrom AFB,” Montana Senator Steve Daines wrote to&nbsp;the Department of Defense.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antony-blinkens-trip-to-beijing-postponed-over-alleged-chinese-spy-balloon-in-us-airspace-558653">&nbsp;Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing ‘postponed’ over alleged Chinese spy balloon in US airspace</a>

“Given the increased hostility and destabilisation around the globe aimed at the United States and our allies, I am alarmed by the fact that this spy balloon was able to infiltrate the airspace of our country and Montana.”

<h2>Blinken postpones Beijing trip</h2>

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing over the weekend has been postponed in light of the spy balloon row, news agency AFP reported on Friday quoting a US official.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A senior State Department official told reporters that it has been determined that the visit would not be productive at this time under the current circumstances. The official also said that diplomatic channels will remain open and Blinken is planning&nbsp;to visit at the earliest opportunity when "conditions allow".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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An explosion was reported in the sky over Billings city, Montana, where the alleged Chinese spy balloon was seen flying over a “number of sensitive sites”. The video shared on Twitter purportedly shows a trail of smoke in the sky where the balloon was last seen.

An explosion was reported in the sky over Billings city, Montana, where the alleged Chinese spy balloon was seen flying over a “number of sensitive sites”. The video shared on Twitter purportedly shows a trail of smoke in the sky where the balloon was last seen. Dolly Moore, who took video of the scene, said she “saw a plane go by so fast and then explode in the sky.” It was not immediately clear if the explosion was the spy balloon burst. Ok, so here’s what I just caught I few minutes ago out my window. I saw a jet go by so fast and then explosion in the sky. Holy crap! Billings MT. pic.twitter.com/swr8ERC6pf — Dolly Moore (@MMtTreasures) February 4, 2023 × WION could not verify the authenticity of the video. The US defence officials, however, clarified that the balloon over Montana has not exploded, according to the Daily Mail news outlet. They said that the balloon, which is said to be about the size of three busies, is large enough that destroying it would rain down debris, risking the safety of people on the ground. On Friday, US officials were alarmed over the giant Chinese balloon invading the US air space following which F-22 fight jets were mobilised to track the device as it hovered over Montana, which borders Canada. Gravitas: Is China's espionage entering the next phase? According to local media, the balloon entered US airspace “a couple of days ago”, but the officials did not share the exact location. “Montana plays a vital national security role by housing nuclear missile silos at Malmstrom AFB,” Montana Senator Steve Daines wrote to the Department of Defense. Also read | Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing ‘postponed’ over alleged Chinese spy balloon in US airspace “Given the increased hostility and destabilisation around the globe aimed at the United States and our allies, I am alarmed by the fact that this spy balloon was able to infiltrate the airspace of our country and Montana.” Blinken postpones Beijing trip Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing over the weekend has been postponed in light of the spy balloon row, news agency AFP reported on Friday quoting a US official. A senior State Department official told reporters that it has been determined that the visit would not be productive at this time under the current circumstances. The official also said that diplomatic channels will remain open and Blinken is planning to visit at the earliest opportunity when "conditions allow". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Was Chinese spy balloon taken down by the US? Here’s what happened

US Secretary of State Blinken postpones China trip as China claims responsibility of 'spy balloon'

Canada's National Defence is monitoring a potential second incident of a suspected spy balloon. The National Defence says that the balloon is being actively tracked by the North American Aerospace Defence.

Canada National Defence track 'spy balloon'; US says 'It doesn't pose threat to people'

Suspected Chinese spy balloon has been flying over the United States for a couple of days. Senior US officials have advised President Joe Biden against shooting it down, fearing the debris could pose a safety threat.

Officials: Balloon above commercial air traffic altitude

The United States is tracking a suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon that has been flying over the country for a couple of days, a senior defence official in the Pentagon said&nbsp;on Thursday. The citing of the Chinese spy balloon might prove to be another thorn in the US-China relationship.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and top military officials thought about&nbsp;shooting the balloon down over Montana but decided not to go ahead as the debris might endanger people on the ground, a senior defence official told reporters Thursday.

Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said that the Pentagon has been tracking the balloon for several days as it travelled over the northern United States.

"The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now," Ryder told reporters.

“We are confident that this high-altitude surveillance balloon belongs to the (People’s Republic of China),” he added.

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Does the balloon pose any security threat?

"The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground," Ryder said.

Ryder further said that the balloon's path would carry it over a number of sensitive sites, although the risk of any significant intelligence loss is not currently present. Notably, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana is home to 150 intercontinental ballistic missile silos.

“It does not create significant value added over and above what the PRC is likely able to collect through things like satellites in low Earth orbit,” Ryder said, referring to the fact that Chinese spy satellites in low Earth orbit can offer similar or better intelligence.

Balloon was over Montana when the officials thought of shooting it down

US military leaders had contemplated shooting the spy balloon down over Montana on Wednesday, but decided against it fearing safety risk from the debris.

The military had even mobilised assets, including F-22 fighter jets, in case Biden ordered the balloon be shot down.

"We wanted to make sure we were coordinating with civil authorities to empty out the airspace around that potential area," the official said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-urges-canada-not-to-engage-in-political-manipulation-over-uyghur-muslims-558205">China urges Canada not to engage in 'political manipulation' over Uyghur Muslims</a>

"But even with those protective measures taken, it was the judgment of our military commanders that we didn't drive the risk down low enough. So we didn't take the shot."

Blinken's visit to China

The news comes just days before&nbsp;US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's scheduled visit to China. Managing heightened tensions between the two powers is at the top of the agenda.

Blinken’s visit to Beijing will mark the first trip to the Asian country by the United States’ top diplomat since 2018.&nbsp;Last November, Biden had met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Relations between China and the United States have been tense of late, clashing over Taiwan, China's human rights record and its military activity in the South China Sea.

US officials have conveyed the surveillance balloon issue to their Chinese counterparts in Beijing and in Washington.

"We have communicated to them the seriousness with which we take this issue," the official added.

China reaction

Reacting to the report, China said Friday that it was working to verify the facts around the claims that Beijing flew a spy balloon over the US.&nbsp;

"Verification is under way," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing. "Until the facts are clear, making conjectures and hyping up the issue will not help to properly resolve it."

"China is a responsible country and always abides strictly by international law. We have no intention of violating the territory or airspace of any sovereign country," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United States is tracking a suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon that has been flying over the country for a couple of days, a senior defence official in the Pentagon said on Thursday.

The United States is tracking a suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon that has been flying over the country for a couple of days, a senior defence official in the Pentagon said on Thursday. The citing of the Chinese spy balloon might prove to be another thorn in the US-China relationship. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and top military officials thought about shooting the balloon down over Montana but decided not to go ahead as the debris might endanger people on the ground, a senior defence official told reporters Thursday. Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said that the Pentagon has been tracking the balloon for several days as it travelled over the northern United States. "The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now," Ryder told reporters. “We are confident that this high-altitude surveillance balloon belongs to the (People’s Republic of China),” he added. × Does the balloon pose any security threat? "The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground," Ryder said. Ryder further said that the balloon's path would carry it over a number of sensitive sites, although the risk of any significant intelligence loss is not currently present. Notably, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana is home to 150 intercontinental ballistic missile silos. “It does not create significant value added over and above what the PRC is likely able to collect through things like satellites in low Earth orbit,” Ryder said, referring to the fact that Chinese spy satellites in low Earth orbit can offer similar or better intelligence. Balloon was over Montana when the officials thought of shooting it down US military leaders had contemplated shooting the spy balloon down over Montana on Wednesday, but decided against it fearing safety risk from the debris. The military had even mobilised assets, including F-22 fighter jets, in case Biden ordered the balloon be shot down. "We wanted to make sure we were coordinating with civil authorities to empty out the airspace around that potential area," the official said. Also Read | China urges Canada not to engage in 'political manipulation' over Uyghur Muslims "But even with those protective measures taken, it was the judgment of our military commanders that we didn't drive the risk down low enough. So we didn't take the shot." Blinken's visit to China The news comes just days before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's scheduled visit to China. Managing heightened tensions between the two powers is at the top of the agenda. Blinken’s visit to Beijing will mark the first trip to the Asian country by the United States’ top diplomat since 2018. Last November, Biden had met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Relations between China and the United States have been tense of late, clashing over Taiwan, China's human rights record and its military activity in the South China Sea. US officials have conveyed the surveillance balloon issue to their Chinese counterparts in Beijing and in Washington. "We have communicated to them the seriousness with which we take this issue," the official added. China reaction Reacting to the report, China said Friday that it was working to verify the facts around the claims that Beijing flew a spy balloon over the US. "Verification is under way," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing. "Until the facts are clear, making conjectures and hyping up the issue will not help to properly resolve it." "China is a responsible country and always abides strictly by international law. We have no intention of violating the territory or airspace of any sovereign country," she said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

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