Washington
CNN
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According to a source familiar with the matter quoted by CNN, the Chinese spy balloon that traversed the US earlier this year was successful in capturing images and collecting some signals intelligence from US military installations.
The captured information was being transmitted back to Beijing in real-time, and there are concerns within the US government regarding the possibility of the Chinese government wiping the data the balloon was sending. This situation raises doubts about potential undisclosed intelligence gathered by the balloon that US authorities are not aware of.
Despite this, officials in the intelligence community have expressed limited worry about the information collected by the balloon, as it is said to be relatively similar in sophistication to the data Chinese satellites can obtain while passing over comparable locations.
An intelligence official from the US mentioned to CNN that ongoing analysis of the balloon wreckage suggests that its flight over the US did not provide significant new insights to the Chinese government.
Additionally, US authorities had prior knowledge of the balloon’s intended route, allowing for the protection of sensitive areas and the censoring of certain signals before the balloon could intercept them, as confirmed by official statements.
According to CNN reports, the US intelligence community had developed a tracking system for a set of similar Chinese surveillance balloons controlled by the Chinese military worldwide.
Although the FBI is still investigating the spy balloon, officials have made progress in understanding its operational details, including the software algorithms utilized and its power source and design.
CNN has requested comments from the National Security Council at the White House and the Pentagon. NBC was the first to report on this new intelligence development.
### FAQ
#### What data was the Chinese spy balloon able to capture?
The Chinese spy balloon successfully captured images and gathered signals intelligence from US military sites.
#### Was the information collected by the balloon sent back to Beijing?
Yes, the balloon transmitted the collected information back to Beijing in real-time.
#### How did the US government respond to the situation?
US authorities were aware of the balloon’s path, allowing them to safeguard sensitive areas and block certain signals.
#### Is there ongoing investigation into the spy balloon?
The FBI is still examining the spy balloon and making progress in understanding its operational mechanisms.
#### What insights did the spy balloon provide to the Chinese government?
Analysis suggests that the spy balloon’s flight over the US did not yield significant new insights to the Chinese government.
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An incident involving a balloon crossing into US airspace over Alaska, then through Canada to Montana, where it lingered, led to its downing by the US on February 4. This event heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing and led to the postponement of a diplomatic visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China. Learn more <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/04/politics/china-spy-balloon-us-latest/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
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A senior State Department official reported in February that the balloon could conduct signals intelligence collection operations while crossing the US.
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Gen. Glen VanHerck, the commander of US Northern Command and NORAD, stated that the balloon did not pose a significant collection threat beyond existing technical means from China.
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Sources reveal that China's surveillance program, operated partially from Hainan province, has conducted numerous missions globally, including over US airspace on multiple occasions.
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According to an official, several of these flights were detected in US airspace but not necessarily directly over US territory.
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While China claims the balloon was a weather balloon off course, US officials suspect it was maneuvered to gather intelligence near sensitive locations in Montana.
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There are indications that China had some control over the balloon, particularly when it lingered above strategic sites in Montana for intelligence-gathering purposes.
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<em>Additional updates on this story have been provided.</em>
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FAQ
1. What led to the tensions between the US and China regarding the surveillance balloon incident?
The incident involved a balloon crossing into US airspace, leading to its downing by the US, which escalated tensions between the two countries.
2. Where did the balloon originate from and where was it eventually shot down?
The balloon crossed into US airspace over Alaska, then through Canada before hovering in Montana, where it was eventually shot down.
3. What was the role of the balloon in terms of surveillance activities?
Officials stated that the balloon was capable of conducting signals intelligence collection operations while floating across the US.
4. What do sources reveal about China’s surveillance program?
China’s surveillance program, partially operated from Hainan province, has conducted numerous missions globally, including over US airspace.
5. Why did the US suspect the balloon of being deliberately maneuvered for intelligence gathering?
Despite China’s claim that it was a weather balloon off course, US officials suspected deliberate maneuvering to collect intelligence near sensitive locations in Montana.
