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Third Alleged Chinese Spy Balloon Spotted, ‘Near U.S. Interests,’ China Responds To Downing of Balloon


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An anonymous source told the Washington Post that a third alleged Chinese spy balloon is “operating near U.S. interests” but won’t disclose the location.

The alleged spy balloon initially spotted in Montana was shot down Saturday afternoon off the coast of the Carolinas.

UPDATE: U.S. Has SHOT DOWN Chinese Spy Balloon!

Another alleged Chinese spy balloon was spotted in Latin America on Friday.

Trump: SHOOT DOWN THAT BALLOON

The third alleged Chinese spy balloon is likely operating near the U.S., according to the anonymous source.

Daily Mail reported:

A third Chinese spy balloon could be lingering near US interests, but officials won't say where it is.

An anonymous source told the Washington Post a third balloon is likely operating near the US after the first balloon was discovered hovering over Montana on Thursday and another was found above Latin America on Friday.

The first balloon was shot down by an F-22 Raptor out of Langley Air Force base with a single AIM-9X sidewinder missile at 2.38pm today off the coast of South Carolina.

A source told the Post that the discovery of the balloons was an embarrassment to the Chinese, who are 'freaked' out by the incident. 'They’re in a very tough place,' the source told the outlet. 'And they have very few cards to play right now.'

China had said the first balloon was collecting weather data when it was blown off course. However, on Saturday, two officials told the Washington Post that the balloons were part of a Chinese military surveillance program that relies on technology that helps supply the People’s Liberation Army.

Officials 'don't know' exactly what the balloons do, just that they have 'some sophisticated communications gear.'

The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement after the downing of its balloon.

China 'strongly disapproves' and 'protests' against the attack on a "civilian unmanned airship by force."

They also called the downing of the balloon a "serious violation of international practice."

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Read the full statement from the Chinese Diplomatic Website:

China strongly disapproves of and protests against the US attack on a civilian unmanned airship by force. The Chinese side has, after verification, repeatedly informed the US side of the civilian nature of the airship and conveyed that its entry into the US due to force majeure was totally unexpected. The Chinese side has clearly asked the US side to properly handle the matter in a calm, professional and restrained manner. The spokesperson of the US Department of Defense also noted that the balloon does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground. Under such circumstances, the US use of force is a clear overreaction and a serious violation of international practice. China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the company concerned, and reserves the right to make further responses if necessary.

CNN reported:

What the US is saying: While Pentagon officials did say this week that the airship posed no "military or physical" threat to the US, they also flatly denied China's claim that the balloon served a civilian research purpose.

Military leaders said they were confident the aircraft was used for espionage.



 

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