James Walker
Chinese balloon ‘targeted Hawaii’ before it was blown off course and shot down
A Chinese balloon over the US was initially headed for the Pacific state of Hawaii, according to officials. The balloon, which was shot down over coastal South Carolina, was originally set to spy on the Aloha State and Guam before it was blown wildly off course, it has been suggested.
The balloon ended up over the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, where it crossed into US airspace, through Canada and over the contiguous US. However, it remains unclear why China allowed it to stray so far off course. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the intended destination was Hawaii.
Some officials in the US said they knew the balloon’s intended trajectory over the Pacific as they had been tracking it since it launched in Hainan, an island off southern China.
On January 28, when the balloon approached Alaska, its Chinese operators or other officials may have misread weather conditions which could have taken it quickly out of US airspace.
READ THE FULL STORY
US Air Force shoot down suspected Chinese spy balloon
James Walker
Chinese spy balloons ‘hinting at first strike attack’ on US nuclear weapons, expert warns
China’s suspected spy balloon may set the stage for a “first strike attack” on America’s nuclear weapons, an expert warned. On February 4, the US shot down an unidentified flying object over South Carolina, with the aerial intruder coming from China.
Beijing insisted the balloon was a civilian meteorological research airship blown off course, but tensions with Washington have surged as a result of the incident.
Now, Gordon G. Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China, suggested the incursion could be “hinting at a first or second strike attack” on the US’ nuclear weapons.
The expert noted the balloon’s flight path took it over Malmstrom Air Force Base, where approximately a third of America’s land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles are held.
He also noted the object appeared over both F. E. Warren and Minot Air Force bases, then close to Whiteman Air Force Base, home to the nuclear-capable B-2 bomber fleet, and Offutt Air Force Base, headquarters of Strategic Command.
READ THE FULL STORY
James Walker
China slaps sanctions on firms as tensions rise over Taiwan
China on Thursday slapped sanctions on Lockheed Martin and a unit of Raytheon for supplying weapons to Taiwan as tensions between Beijing and Washington mount.
The Ministry of Commerce announced that the firms were added to the “unreliable entity” list of companies whose activities are restricted because they might endanger national sovereignty, security or development interests.
It wasn’t clear what impact the penalties may have. The United States bars most sales of weapons-related technology to China.
James Walker
China mocks US over ‘Ohio Chernobyl’ incident as massive spy balloon row heats up
China has mocked the White House saying it’s “obsessed with imaginary outside enemies” while ignoring the Ohio train derailment disaster at home.
Party officials have taken a similar line of attack, with the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying tweeting: “Apparently some in the US take a wandering civilian balloon as a big threat while the explosive train derailment and toxic chemical leak Not. #OhioChernobyl.”
US-China relations have taken a hit following the US military’s decision to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the South Carolina coast on February 4.
The Chinese balloon entered US airspace on January 28 and stayed afloat for seven days, loitering over sensitive areas of Montana where nuclear warheads are siloed.
China insists the balloon was just an errant civilian airship used mainly for meteorological research that went off course due to winds and had only limited “self-steering” capabilities. It also issued a threat of “further actions”.
READ THE FULL STORY
Now we know why the US gov fussed over a wandering balloon u2014 to take people’s eyes off the chemical explosion #OhioChernobyl. Clearly for Washington the balloon is much more important than Americans’ safety and health. pic.twitter.com/Jjb7UDyO61
u2014 Hua Chunying u534eu6625u83b9 (@SpokespersonCHN) February 16, 2023
James Walker
Joe Biden expected to reveal new details about three downed UFOs
US President Joe Biden is expected to address the nation about three downed UFOs this week, and potentially as soon as Thursday. He may also address tensions over suspected Chinese spy balloons.
NBC News reported on Thursday morning that Biden would also speak about what he will do about any suspected spy balloons and UFOs spotted over American skies in the future.
The Democratic president has come under scrutiny over the past fortnight over his decision to take days to shoot down the suspected Chinese spy balloon until it was off the coast of South Carolina on February 4.
Officials at the time said the adminstration delayed over fears Americans would be hurt by falling debris.
Three UFOs have been shot down over the US since February 10 but few details have been released (Image: Express.co.uk)
Alex Shipman
US-China on brink of ‘full on conflict’, says military analyst
A Cold War between the US and China is well underway but a “full-on conflict” looms, an expert has told Express.co.uk.
The modern cold conflict has taken a different shape to the 20th century US-Soviet Union standoff, with the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon causing tensions to soar.
Instead of attempting to gain “power and influence” through espionage, Beijing is looking for “economic advantage”, according to 15-year military veteran and owner of the private intelligence company Aucoin Analytics Kervin Aucoin.
He said: “The US and China are already in a Cold War however it is much different from the Cold War with the Soviet Union. China is an economic superpower that uses forms of espionage to gain an economic advantage, whereas Russia attempted to gain power and influence through its espionage.”
READ MORE
James Walker
China humiliated as balloon may have accidentally ended up thousands of miles off-course
The Chinese balloon which flew across US and Canada had been tracked for more than a week from a base on Hainan Island in southern China, according to US intelligence. The balloon to drift towards Guam – home to US military installations – before turning northwards towards Alaska.
Several US intelligence officials have confirmed the balloon’s path and analysts are now exploring the possibility that Beijing didn’t send it over the continental US intentionally, according to reporting by The Washington Post.
John Kirby, National Security Council’s coordinator for strategic communications, told reporters it was possible the objects were “benign”, possibly from a commercial organisation or research venture.
In the past, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has sent spy balloons over Guam and Hawaii to examine some of the US’s pacific military installations.
The most recent balloon was launched from Hainan Island off the coast of southern China, according to officials.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
US intelligence officials have claimed that the suspected spy balloon may have blown off course (Image: Express.co.uk)
James Walker
Chinese warns US as it threatens retaliation in spy balloon row
Chinese officials have warned US officials they could retaliate after US fighter jets shot down a suspected spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina on February 4.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday that the balloon was monitoring weather and had inadvertently blown off its set course, Bloomberg News reported.
He said: “China is strongly opposed to this and will take countermeasures against relevant US entities that have undermined our sovereignty and security to firmly safeguard our sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests.”
Chinese officials have previously claimed that the US flew 10 balloons over its territory in 2022 as Washington and Beijing have been engaged in a tit-for-tat.
Government officials in Beijing have also been sniping at the US over social media, with one suggesting the spy balloon fallout was just an attempt to divert news away from the Ohio train derailment disaster.
US officials have been analysing the suspected Chinese balloon since it was downed 12 days ago (Image: Getty Images)
James Walker
Good afternoon
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the spy balloon saga. I’m James Walker. I’ll be bringing you the latest developments on the Chinese spy balloon row as President Joe Biden is expected to address Americans as early as Thursday.
Send your tips, stories and thoughts [email protected]
James Walker
Chinese balloon ‘targeted Hawaii’ before it was blown off course and shot down
A Chinese balloon over the US was initially headed for the Pacific state of Hawaii, according to officials. The balloon, which was shot down over coastal South Carolina, was originally set to spy on the Aloha State and Guam before it was blown wildly off course, it has been suggested.
The balloon ended up over the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, where it crossed into US airspace, through Canada and over the contiguous US. However, it remains unclear why China allowed it to stray so far off course. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the intended destination was Hawaii.
Some officials in the US said they knew the balloon’s intended trajectory over the Pacific as they had been tracking it since it launched in Hainan, an island off southern China.
On January 28, when the balloon approached Alaska, its Chinese operators or other officials may have misread weather conditions which could have taken it quickly out of US airspace.
READ THE FULL STORY
US Air Force shoot down suspected Chinese spy balloon
James Walker
Chinese spy balloons ‘hinting at first strike attack’ on US nuclear weapons, expert warns
China’s suspected spy balloon may set the stage for a “first strike attack” on America’s nuclear weapons, an expert warned. On February 4, the US shot down an unidentified flying object over South Carolina, with the aerial intruder coming from China.
Beijing insisted the balloon was a civilian meteorological research airship blown off course, but tensions with Washington have surged as a result of the incident.
Now, Gordon G. Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China, suggested the incursion could be “hinting at a first or second strike attack” on the US’ nuclear weapons.
The expert noted the balloon’s flight path took it over Malmstrom Air Force Base, where approximately a third of America’s land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles are held.
He also noted the object appeared over both F. E. Warren and Minot Air Force bases, then close to Whiteman Air Force Base, home to the nuclear-capable B-2 bomber fleet, and Offutt Air Force Base, headquarters of Strategic Command.
READ THE FULL STORY
James Walker
China slaps sanctions on firms as tensions rise over Taiwan
China on Thursday slapped sanctions on Lockheed Martin and a unit of Raytheon for supplying weapons to Taiwan as tensions between Beijing and Washington mount.
The Ministry of Commerce announced that the firms were added to the “unreliable entity” list of companies whose activities are restricted because they might endanger national sovereignty, security or development interests.
It wasn’t clear what impact the penalties may have. The United States bars most sales of weapons-related technology to China.
James Walker
China mocks US over ‘Ohio Chernobyl’ incident as massive spy balloon row heats up
China has mocked the White House saying it’s “obsessed with imaginary outside enemies” while ignoring the Ohio train derailment disaster at home.
Party officials have taken a similar line of attack, with the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying tweeting: “Apparently some in the US take a wandering civilian balloon as a big threat while the explosive train derailment and toxic chemical leak Not. #OhioChernobyl.”
US-China relations have taken a hit following the US military’s decision to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the South Carolina coast on February 4.
The Chinese balloon entered US airspace on January 28 and stayed afloat for seven days, loitering over sensitive areas of Montana where nuclear warheads are siloed.
China insists the balloon was just an errant civilian airship used mainly for meteorological research that went off course due to winds and had only limited “self-steering” capabilities. It also issued a threat of “further actions”.
READ THE FULL STORY
Now we know why the US gov fussed over a wandering balloon u2014 to take people’s eyes off the chemical explosion #OhioChernobyl. Clearly for Washington the balloon is much more important than Americans’ safety and health. pic.twitter.com/Jjb7UDyO61
u2014 Hua Chunying u534eu6625u83b9 (@SpokespersonCHN) February 16, 2023
James Walker
Joe Biden expected to reveal new details about three downed UFOs
US President Joe Biden is expected to address the nation about three downed UFOs this week, and potentially as soon as Thursday. He may also address tensions over suspected Chinese spy balloons.
NBC News reported on Thursday morning that Biden would also speak about what he will do about any suspected spy balloons and UFOs spotted over American skies in the future.
The Democratic president has come under scrutiny over the past fortnight over his decision to take days to shoot down the suspected Chinese spy balloon until it was off the coast of South Carolina on February 4.
Officials at the time said the adminstration delayed over fears Americans would be hurt by falling debris.
Three UFOs have been shot down over the US since February 10 but few details have been released (Image: Express.co.uk)
Alex Shipman
US-China on brink of ‘full on conflict’, says military analyst
A Cold War between the US and China is well underway but a “full-on conflict” looms, an expert has told Express.co.uk.
The modern cold conflict has taken a different shape to the 20th century US-Soviet Union standoff, with the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon causing tensions to soar.
Instead of attempting to gain “power and influence” through espionage, Beijing is looking for “economic advantage”, according to 15-year military veteran and owner of the private intelligence company Aucoin Analytics Kervin Aucoin.
He said: “The US and China are already in a Cold War however it is much different from the Cold War with the Soviet Union. China is an economic superpower that uses forms of espionage to gain an economic advantage, whereas Russia attempted to gain power and influence through its espionage.”
READ MORE
James Walker
China humiliated as balloon may have accidentally ended up thousands of miles off-course
The Chinese balloon which flew across US and Canada had been tracked for more than a week from a base on Hainan Island in southern China, according to US intelligence. The balloon to drift towards Guam – home to US military installations – before turning northwards towards Alaska.
Several US intelligence officials have confirmed the balloon’s path and analysts are now exploring the possibility that Beijing didn’t send it over the continental US intentionally, according to reporting by The Washington Post.
John Kirby, National Security Council’s coordinator for strategic communications, told reporters it was possible the objects were “benign”, possibly from a commercial organisation or research venture.
In the past, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has sent spy balloons over Guam and Hawaii to examine some of the US’s pacific military installations.
The most recent balloon was launched from Hainan Island off the coast of southern China, according to officials.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
US intelligence officials have claimed that the suspected spy balloon may have blown off course (Image: Express.co.uk)
James Walker
Chinese warns US as it threatens retaliation in spy balloon row
Chinese officials have warned US officials they could retaliate after US fighter jets shot down a suspected spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina on February 4.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday that the balloon was monitoring weather and had inadvertently blown off its set course, Bloomberg News reported.
He said: “China is strongly opposed to this and will take countermeasures against relevant US entities that have undermined our sovereignty and security to firmly safeguard our sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests.”
Chinese officials have previously claimed that the US flew 10 balloons over its territory in 2022 as Washington and Beijing have been engaged in a tit-for-tat.
Government officials in Beijing have also been sniping at the US over social media, with one suggesting the spy balloon fallout was just an attempt to divert news away from the Ohio train derailment disaster.
US officials have been analysing the suspected Chinese balloon since it was downed 12 days ago (Image: Getty Images)
James Walker
Good afternoon
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the spy balloon saga. I’m James Walker. I’ll be bringing you the latest developments on the Chinese spy balloon row as President Joe Biden is expected to address Americans as early as Thursday.
Send your tips, stories and thoughts [email protected]
