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US sanctions companies involved in Chinese reconnaissance balloons “Activity in at least 40 countries”

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provided by the US Navy

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 9th (local time) that the US intelligence authorities had found out that a Chinese reconnaissance balloon that had invaded US airspace had conducted missions to at least 40 countries on five continents, including Asia, Europe and South America. . Japan also announced in January of last year that it had confirmed a reconnaissance balloon of unknown origin. The US administration of Joe Biden has revealed that it will sanction Chinese companies and institutions involved in the manufacture and operation of reconnaissance balloons.

The U.S. State Department announced in writing on the 10th (local time) that it had discovered that Chinese reconnaissance balloons were active in at least 40 countries. The Department of State said, “As a result of checking the performance of the balloon, it was for intelligence monitoring and did not match the equipment mounted on the balloon for weather observation.” The controversial reconnaissance balloon reportedly had multiple antennas that could collect communications records and track its location.

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“I am convinced that the manufacturer of the scout balloon has a direct link with the People’s Liberation Army,” he said. However, the specific company name was not disclosed.

Previously, CNN reported on the 8th that US intelligence authorities had found out that the Chinese reconnaissance Poongsan had carried out at least 24 missions. According to sources in the Joe Biden administration, 6 of the 24 missions conducted by the reconnaissance balloon were for the United States. The remaining 18 cases are reconnaissance activities conducted in countries other than the United States.

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Defense Ministry spokesman Patrick Ryder also said at a press conference on the 8th, “The reconnaissance balloons were active in Central and South America, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Europe. White House National Security Council (NSC) Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby emphasized, “We will be in contact with allies and partners around the world who need to know about the impact of the (reconnaissance balloon) program.” However, when asked whether balloons were found in Korea, he avoided an immediate answer, saying, “I will communicate privately with allies and partners.”

Regarding this, Japanese government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno, the Japanese government’s spokesperson, was asked about it at a regular press conference on the 9th, and said, “In January of last year, we confirmed a balloon of unknown affiliation over the high seas west of Kyushu.” Kyodo News reported that this appears to be separate from the flying objects that the Japanese government previously mentioned were confirmed in the Tohoku region of Japan in 2020 and 2021.

Minister Matsuno added, “We are conducting an analysis of the flying objects seen over Japan, including their relevance to the US issue.” It is interpreted as meaning that the balloon is being checked to see if it is a Chinese reconnaissance balloon.

As the scope of the reconnaissance balloon’s activities has been revealed all over the world, the US government has started to rally allies by conveying relevant information to foreign missions and US diplomats in more than 40 countries around the world.

Source: Donga

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