The Chinese spy balloon, which was intercepted by a US fighter jet over the Atlantic in February, was found to be devoid of any intelligence-gathering activities as it traversed the United States, according to a statement from the Pentagon on Thursday.
“Preliminary assessments have revealed that the balloon did not engage in data collection while transiting or overflying the United States,” stated Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson.
Ryder further emphasized that the US military had implemented measures to mitigate intelligence collection by the balloon. “Undoubtedly, our efforts played a significant role in achieving this outcome,” Ryder commented, although he refrained from providing additional details.
Originating from Alaska in the northwest and journeying to South Carolina in the east between late January and early February of this year, the massive balloon, equipped with an extensive payload of electronics, passed over sensitive military installations. Its presence raised concerns over Beijing’s potential acquisition of vital intelligence.
On February 4, the balloon was successfully intercepted off the South Carolina coast by a US fighter jet and subsequently retrieved from the Atlantic Ocean by the military. Since then, the contents of the balloon have undergone thorough examination.
The incident strained diplomatic relations between Beijing and Washington, prompting Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a planned trip to China in February, which aimed to foster improved bilateral ties.
China consistently denied that the balloon was deployed for intelligence collection purposes, asserting that it had unintentionally strayed off course while entering US airspace.
During the time of interception, a US official stated that the balloon possessed multiple antennas, including an array with potential capabilities for communication collection and geolocation.
“The balloon was equipped with sufficiently large solar panels to generate the required power for operating multiple active intelligence collection sensors,” added the official.
In the weeks leading up to Blinken’s rescheduled trip to Beijing, where he engaged in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House sought to downplay the significance of the balloon incident.
President Joe Biden conveyed his belief that the Chinese leadership had lacked awareness of the balloon’s whereabouts, its contents, and the circumstances surrounding the operation.
“I consider it to be more of an embarrassing incident rather than an intentional act,” Biden remarked.
The interception of the Chinese spy balloon has drawn attention to the complex dynamics between China and the United States, underscoring the ongoing challenges in their bilateral relationship. The incident serves as a reminder of the ever-present need for vigilance and robust security measures to safeguard national interests and protect sensitive information.
