The United States shot down a Chinese reconnaissance balloon that broke into its airspace. Regarding how to deal with the wreckage, White House national security spokesman Kirby (see photo) said that the wreckage will be analyzed by intelligence experts. There is currently no plan to return the wreckage to China.

(AFP)

[Instant News/Comprehensive Report] The Pentagon disclosed last week that a Chinese reconnaissance balloon broke into U.S. airspace, and the U.S. military subsequently shot down the balloon. Regarding how to deal with the wreckage, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said that the wreckage will be It was submitted to intelligence experts for analysis, and there is currently no plan to return the wreckage to China.

According to foreign media reports, a Chinese reconnaissance balloon broke into U.S. airspace last week, and the U.S. military sent F-22 fighter jets to shoot down the balloon on the afternoon of the 4th.

China has insisted that the balloon is a civilian balloon used for weather and other research purposes, rather than a spy balloon, but U.S. officials have disputed that claim, saying the balloon was designed to gather military intelligence.

Please read on...

Kirby also refuted China's claims and pointed out that the balloon was monitoring sensitive military sites in the United States. He also emphasized that although the United States did not immediately shoot down the balloon, it took some measures to weaken the ability of the balloon to collect intelligence.

Kirby said on Monday local time that the U.S. military is currently salvaging balloon fragments and has found some wreckage from the sea. However, the current weather conditions are not good and it is not possible to conduct too much submarine surveillance on the scene.

He said the area of ​​debris scattered was quite large and would continue over the next few days.

Kirby also mentioned that the salvaged wreckage will be analyzed by intelligence experts, and pointed out that the United States currently has no intention of sending the balloon wreckage back to China. He said he did not know of any such plan or plan to return it.

He also revealed to the media that this is believed to be the fifth Chinese reconnaissance balloon discovered over the United States since 2017. Three of them invaded U.S. territory during the administration of former President Trump, but the previous four Invasions only last for a short time.

Glen VanHerck, commander of the North American Air Defense Command, pointed out that naval ships are currently mapping the area where the debris is scattered. It is estimated that the area scattered in the Atlantic Ocean is about 1,500 meters by 1,500 meters.

He said that although he does not know who will analyze the final fragments, law enforcement units including intelligence units and counterintelligence work will definitely study them carefully.

Regarding the claim that the balloon may have deviated from the course, former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen (Mike Mullen) refuted it, and pointed out that the balloon has a propeller and the direction can be steered. Work.

Kirby also mentioned that the balloon has a propeller and a steering device. Even if it encounters strong winds at high altitudes, it still has the ability to accelerate, decelerate and turn, and it can still change its direction if it wants.