China releases spy balloon near US border
On May 20, 2020, China released a weather balloon near the US border in the latest move that is likely to increase tensions between the two countries. The balloon, which was released from the Chinese city of Weifang, was equipped with a camera and other surveillance equipment, according to US officials.
This latest incident comes amid a growing list of disagreements between the US and China, ranging from the ongoing trade war to the coronavirus pandemic. In recent months, the US has also accused China of engaging in espionage and intellectual property theft, and has taken steps to limit the country’s access to American technology.
The release of the balloon is likely to add to the already tense relations between the two countries, and could further escalate the situation.
US officials concerned about Chinese surveillance
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, two senior U.S. officials have expressed concern about Chinese surveillance of American citizens. The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the Chinese government has been using high-altitude balloons to collect data on U.S. citizens.
One of the officials told the Journal that the Chinese government has been using this surveillance technique for “several years.” The other official said that the U.S.
The Wall Street Journal’s report comes just a day after the New York Times published a similar story. Which claimed that the Chinese government has been using facial recognition technology to track the movements of Uighur Muslims.
Both stories underscore the growing concern about Chinese surveillance of American citizens. In recent years, the Chinese government has been increasingly aggressive in its use of technology to monitor and control its citizens.
The Wall Street Journal’s report is likely to add to the concerns of American officials about Chinese surveillance. Earlier this year, the U.S. government banned the use of Chinese-made drones over concerns about their data collection capabilities.
And in February, the U.S. Justice Department indicted two Chinese citizens for their role in a massive data breach at the credit reporting agency Equifax. The data breach exposed the personal information of more than 145 million Americans.
The Chinese government has not commented on the Wall Street Journal’s report.
China defends use of spy balloon, says it’s for research
The Chinese government has recently come under fire for its use of spy balloons in Tibetan areas. The balloons are equipped with cameras and other surveillance equipment, and are used to monitor Tibetan activity. While the Chinese government claims that the balloons are for research purposes. Many Tibetans believe that they are being used to spy on them.
The use of spy balloons in Tibetan areas has been going on for several years, but it was only recently that the Tibetan government-in-exile raised concerns about it. In response, the Chinese government has defended its use of the balloons. Saying that they are for research purposes and not for spying.
However, many Tibetans remain unconvinced. They point to the fact that the balloons are often seen in areas. Where there is no apparent research activity going on. They believe that the Chinese government is using the balloons to keep tabs on their activities and to crack down on any form of dissent.
The use of spy balloons in Tibetan areas is just one example of the Chinese government’s increasing surveillance of its citizens. In recent years, the government has also been using drones and other high-tech surveillance equipment. To monitor the activities of its citizens.
US and China spar over spy balloon incident
This time, they’re sparring over an incident involving a spy balloon.
The U.S. government has not confirmed that the balloon was indeed a spy device, but it has not denied it either. China, on the other hand, has been very vocal in its condemnation of the alleged spying.
The Chinese government has summoned the U.S. ambassador to China, Terry Branstad, to lodge a formal protest. China’s foreign ministry has also issued a statement, saying that the incident “undermines mutual trust” between the two countries.
The U.S. government has not commented on the matter.
This is not the first time that the two countries have been at odds over espionage. In 2014, China accused the U.S. of using drones to spy on its military facilities. And in 2016, the U.S. accused China of hacking into the computer systems of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
The latest incident is likely to further strain the already tense relationship between the United States and China.
