The United States on Saturday CLAIMS it shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the North Carolina coast, ending a national security fiasco that had lasted several days.
One expert says video SEEMS to show China "Self-destructed" the equipment array before the US did anything. He also says it is likely that all data, images, and video from the balloon's trip was uploaded via satellite by China long before the balloon was downed.
The U.S. military says it destroyed the balloon over the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coastline. Why they didn't do that when it was over US airspace at the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, BEFORE it traversed the continental United States, has not been disclosed.
Here is news video of the actual shoot-down:
— Sam Guichelaar (@SamGuichelaar) February 4, 2023
Citizens nationwide suspect China bribed quite a number of US government and military officials to make certain the balloon was allowed to cross the country unmolested, and those citizens think this is Treason, in everyone's face.
Before the balloon was downed, the Federal Aviation Administration paused departures and arrivals around midday at airports in Wilmington, N.C., and in Myrtle Beach and Charleston in South Carolina.
An operation is reportedly underway now to collect the debris, according to the reports.
The balloon incident had caused U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to postpone a planned trip to Beijing.
China has repeatedly downplayed the incident, saying that it was not a spy balloon.
A spokesperson for the China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its contention on Saturday, claiming the balloon is a "civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological, purposes" and adding, "we have no intention to violate and has never violated the territory or airspace of any sovereign country."
The Chinese official also said Blinken's planned visit was never actually announced.
"In fact, neither side has ever announced that there would be a visit," the spokesperson said, adding it is the role of diplomats on both sides to deal with "unexpected situations in a cool-headed and prudent manner."
Beijing asserted the balloon incident has been hyped up by media and politicians in the United States.
