In a startling development, official sources from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army have contradicted their own foreign ministry’s claims regarding the purpose of their spy balloons. These balloons, originally presented as tools for meteorological research, have been revealed to possess offensive military applications.
This revelation comes after U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed a desire to move beyond the controversy surrounding a Chinese surveillance balloon that hovered over the Malmstrom Air Forces Base in Montana, a sensitive location housing nuclear weapons.
China’s surveillance craft, comparable in size to three Greyhound buses, embarked on a journey through the United States starting in January 2023.
It was not until an F-22 fighter jet shot down the massive spy balloon approximately six nautical miles off the coast of South Carolina in February that the Chinese regime’s surveillance activities were curtailed.
Throughout its time in U.S. airspace, the balloon reportedly collected intelligence on various aspects of the country.
The China Media Studies Project, operated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), has released a comprehensive report shedding light on this pressing issue. Drawing on materials from the China Military Network, an official outlet of the People’s Liberation Army, the report exposes the true nature of these spy balloons.
An article titled “An Omnipotent Weapon—How Amazing are Near Space Vehicles?” was published by the China Military Network before the spy balloon breached U.S. airspace. In this article, researcher Qiang Tianlin outlines the potential for near-space vehicles to revolutionize air defense and anti-missile combat.
Tianlin suggests that if equipped with weapons platforms, these vehicles could enable rapid global-scale attacks, drastically accelerating the pace of warfare.
The term “near-space” refers to the region above commercial flight paths, allowing air devices to operate beyond the reach of conventional surveillance methods. Tianlin emphasizes the growing importance of information superiority in future conflicts, proposing that near-space vehicles can play a pivotal role in achieving this objective, including executing space-based countermeasures and strikes.
MEMRI’s report is of utmost significance as it unveils the dual nature of the Chinese spy balloons, serving both espionage and military offensive purposes. While the focus has largely been on the intelligence gathered by these balloons during their surveillance of U.S. states, MEMRI’s research goes beyond that. Through the translation of Chinese government documents and news reports, the report exposes the broader military utilization of surveillance balloons, airships, and airship-borne hypersonic vehicles by the Chinese regime.
Following the downing of the spy balloon, the Chinese state-controlled media outlet Guancha.cn published an article titled “The Airship was Shot Down And Has Fulfilled An Amazing Strategy Research Article Published Nine Years Ago,” authored by retired senior Chinese air force colonel Wang Xiangsui. Wang’s article explores the potential of airships in becoming the core of a new generation of air defense systems.
While some may attempt to downplay the significance of these incidents, they are part of a larger pattern of Chinese aggression and dangerous behavior. The Biden administration has made efforts to address these challenges, but more work is required.
Collaboration among the United States, its allies, and partners is crucial in effectively countering China’s aggressive actions across all domains. It is imperative to approach the U.S.-China relationship with a foundation of strength, ensuring that engagement is based on realistic expectations rather than wishful thinking.
Source Fox News