According to a source close to the case of the case of the alleged spy balloon from China, the aircraft was capable of capturing images and picking up some intelligence signals and US military actions towards Beijing. However, there is no official statement from the White House on this presumption.
According to the source, who told the CNN television network, that the United States authorities have not determined whether China’s intelligence services were able to eliminate the data collected before it hit the waters of North Carolina.
The source also explained that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), together with the intelligence services, continue to examine the globe. So far it was possible to determine that the balloon functions as the algorithms used for the balloon software, its design and energy supply.
John Kirby, one of the White House spokesmen, stated on March 20 that the United States intends for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to make a trip to China, since he canceled an appointment with the Asian giant due to the tensions between the two countries caused by the crisis of the downed balloon on US soil.
The idea of the United States authorities is that Blinken is accompanied by the Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, and of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, which is being discussed with China so that these meetings can take place. When the balloon was shot down, China did not welcome this action by the United States and started a diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
In addition, President Joe Biden intends to speak by phone with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping; but there are still no concrete plans for that conversation and no scheduled date.
With information from CNN and EFE
Keep reading:
- Colombian Foreign Minister affirms to Secretary Blinken that Colombia “will never surprise the United States.”
- Chinese president vows to turn his army into a ‘great iron wall’ against the US
- The United States will resume Blinken’s trip after his suspension due to the balloon crisis