US shoots down Chinese ‘spy balloon’

ROBYN SPINK | NEWS EDITOR

28January saw a high-altitude balloon from China entering United States airspace, promoting geopolitical tensions between the two superpowers. The balloon was flying over the coast of South Carolina and was believed to have been monitoring military sites. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to visit China; however, the trip was cancelled due to the “irresponsible act”, with US officials suggesting the balloon was released on purpose to interfere with Mr Blinken’s visit to China.

Chinese authorities have rejected claims that it was used for surveillance of sensitive military sites and insisted it was a weather ship that drifted astray. However, suggestions that the balloon was used for meteorological purposes have been rejected by US officials due to it having propellers, indicating it could not have blown off course, and that China wanted to gain intelligence.

The balloon was shot down by an F-22 Raptor, and US Navy divers searched the Atlantic for wreckage for it to be analysed.

This event has undoubtedly caused diplomatic tensions, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry referring to the shooting as an “overreaction” that has “seriously violated international conventions”.