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Chinese Balloon Shot Down By US Army Over Atlantic Ocean
Yesterday, the US Department of Defense announced that a military aircraft had shot down a Chinese balloon that had been spotted in the sky over the US in the past few days.
The downing of the balloon was first reported by the American media, then the Pentagon confirmed the news.
"US military fighter jets shot down the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon over the Atlantic Ocean off the Eastern Seaboard of the United States," said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Beijing, however, claimed that it was a civilian meteorological research balloon that had strayed into US territory due to a malfunction and strong winds. It flew at an altitude of more than 11 miles (18 kilometers) and was first spotted on Wednesday over the US state of Montana.
In the past few days, the US government has repeatedly doubted that it was a meteorological balloon. Namely, they believe that it was a maneuverable control balloon with the help of which China could obtain confidential information.
The downing of the balloon was first reported by the American media, then the Pentagon confirmed the news.
"US military fighter jets shot down the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon over the Atlantic Ocean off the Eastern Seaboard of the United States," said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Beijing, however, claimed that it was a civilian meteorological research balloon that had strayed into US territory due to a malfunction and strong winds. It flew at an altitude of more than 11 miles (18 kilometers) and was first spotted on Wednesday over the US state of Montana.
In the past few days, the US government has repeatedly doubted that it was a meteorological balloon. Namely, they believe that it was a maneuverable control balloon with the help of which China could obtain confidential information.
