The Latest Breaking News from Antony Blinken

Chinese spy balloon over the US: An aerospace expert explains how the balloons work and what they can see

The U.S. military shot down what U.S. officials called a Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4, 2023. Officials said that the U.S. Navy planned to recover the debris, which is in shallow water.

The Conversation · Feb 4, 2023

China calls for calm amid growing row with US over suspected spy balloons

Beijing says it will ‘not accept any groundless conjecture’ after balloons spotted over US and Latin America

The Guardian - UK · Feb 4, 2023

China plays down Blinken's canceled visit over balloon

China has played down the cancellation of a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken after a large Chinese balloon suspected of conducting surveillance on U.S. military sites roiled diplomatic relations, saying that neither side had formally announced any such plan

The Independent UK · Feb 4, 2023

China balloon: Many questions about suspected spy in the sky

A massive white orb flying across U.S. airspace has triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and is blowing up on social media

The Independent UK · Feb 4, 2023

High-flying balloon seen as part of broader Chinese spy program

WASHINGTON — The high-altitude balloon now floating at 60,000 feet over the continental U.S. is part of a broader Chinese spying program that’s seen many such devices sent over the nation, including some during the Trump administration, according to U.S. officials.

Tribune News Service · Feb 4, 2023

Second spy balloon spotted over Latin America, says Pentagon, as Blinken postpones China trip

Secretary of state calls the incident in US airspace a ‘clear violation of US sovereignty and international law’

The Guardian - AU · Feb 4, 2023

Chinese balloon soars across US; Blinken scraps Beijing trip

Aside from the government response, fuzzy videos dotted social media as people with binoculars and telephoto lenses tried to find the “spy balloon” in the sky as it headed southeastward over Kansas and Missouri at 60,000 feet.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 4, 2023

China foreign ministry: 'airship' over the U.S. a 'force majeure accident'

China's foreign ministry said on Saturday that flight of a Chinese "airship" over the United States was a force majeure accident, accusing U.S. politicians and media of taking advantage of the situation to discredit China.

Reuters · Feb 4, 2023

China balloon soaring over U.S. deflates hopes for diplomatic thaw

The political uproar over a suspected Chinese spy balloon drifting over the United States did not just derail a planned visit to Beijing by the top U.S. diplomat, it also threatens to upset attempts by both countries to steady an increasingly rocky relationship.

Reuters · Feb 4, 2023

Pentagon tracking "surveillance balloon"

President Biden was briefed on the balloon Tuesday and chose against shooting it down as it could cause debris

Salon · Feb 3, 2023