‘Balloongate’ lays bare Chinese hypocrisy over military surveillance (Opinion)
This facility located at 41°46’46.04”N and 111°54’3.83”E in Inner Mongolia has been identified as the possible launch site of the balloon that crossed North America. (Image: Google Earth)
China pretends that it does not spy on others. The recent balloon saga showed up that it not only conducts surveillance of multiple countries, but that it is willing to violate their airspace to do so.
China is busy trying to re-inflate its reputation after its mysterious 60m-diameter spy balloon with approximately 1t payload was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on 4 February.
A spy balloon? Wait, surely not!
Despite all evidence to the contrary, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is sticking to its mantra that ‘the balloon in question is a Chinese unmanned civilian airship used mainly for meteorological research purposes’.
But it needs to get its story straight. Why would China say ‘mainly’ meteorological purposes instead of ‘only’?
More detail will hopefully be gleaned as the US recovers wreckage from a debris
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees]()
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
![Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft]()
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
![OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”]()
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.
