WH says US in talks with allies after the Chinese balloon scare

By al mayadeen english
Source: news agencies
8 Feb 2023 20:54
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White House spokeswoman claims Chinese balloons have previously been spotted all over countries across five continents,.

The Chinese balloon shortly before it was shot down over Surfside Beach, South Carolina, on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023(Joe Granita, Zuma Press/TNS)

According to White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, Chinese balloons have been spotted in other nations on five different continents before, and the United States is discussing and coordinating this matter with its allies.

"Over the past several years, Chinese balloons have previously been spotted all over countries across five continents," Jean-Pierre said during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One. "We have been in touch with allies and partners on this issue."

When asked about the discussions between the US and their allies in regard to China's alleged espionage balloons, Jean-Pierre said that, presently, she did not have insight into the ongoing talks but will be giving an update soon.

The balloon was flying over the North American Aerospace Defense Command on January 28, over Alaska, before it was found floating over missile sites in Montana. Days later, after tracking, the US decided to shoot it down over the South Carolina coast.

On Monday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the US is intent on not only keeping the debris of the Chinese balloon but to "exploit what we recover and learn even more than we have learned".

Adding to the American balloon paranoia, an article by The Wall Street Journal, citing White House officials, reported that the US did not detect previous high-altitude Chinese alleged 'spy' balloons until they left US airspace.

Reports cited defense officials saying that at least three suspected Chinese balloons flew over the continental United States during the Trump administration and at least one previously during the Biden administration.