Status: 06.02.2023 11:50 a.m
China has confirmed another balloon spotted over Colombia is from the People’s Republic. Beijing has again denied allegations of espionage. The balloon accidentally went off course.
After a suspected Chinese spy balloon was launched over the United States, a similar balloon was spotted over Colombia. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Nin confirmed his Chinese origins. He had made an “attempt to fly”, was serving “civilian purposes” and was on the wrong track.
Similar to the case of the suspected spy balloon shot down over the United States, the spokeswoman said the weather and its limited control options caused it to enter the airspace of Latin American countries. As the responsible country, China informed the countries concerned and dealt with the case appropriately.
“We will not pose a threat to other countries, which has been understood by all,” the spokeswoman said. China is also in contact with the US government. It was an “isolated, unexpected incident”. According to the Colombian air force, it followed the balloon until it left the airspace over the country.
Launch of the first balloon off the US coast
A US warplane shot down the first suspected spy balloon off the coast of the state of South Carolina on Saturday after it had flown over the United States for days. The Navy is “currently conducting salvage operations,” said Commander-in-Chief of the US Forces in North America, General Glen VanHerck. The Coast Guard is helping to secure the area.
China expressed anger at the balloon launch on Sunday. He has “seriously affected and damaged” relations between the two countries, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. According to Beijing, it was a civilian meteorological balloon that went off course.
USA assumes espionage
Former US Chief of Staff Mike Mullen dismissed Beijing’s account as not credible. In an interview with ABC News, Mullen said the aircraft was steerable and equipped with propellers. “It wasn’t an accident. It was on purpose,” Mullen said.
As a result, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken postponed his planned visit to Beijing. It should take place at a later date when circumstances permit. It would have been the first since Mike Pompeo’s visit in 2018.