According to the Pentagon, the Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by a US
fighter jet over the Atlantic in February did not collect any intelligence while
flying over the United States.
Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder stated that the US took measures to
mitigate intelligence collection by the
balloon, and their efforts contributed to preventing data gathering.
The large balloon, equipped with electronic devices and antennas, had flown
over sensitive military installations, raising concerns about Beijing's
potential acquisition of crucial intelligence.
The incident strained relations between China and the US, leading to the
cancellation of a planned trip by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China.
However, President Joe Biden later downplayed the incident, suggesting that
it was more embarrassing than intentional. |