February 2023 Intelligence News

Putin Instructs FSB to Step Up Work Along Russian-Ukrainian Border Sputnik 28 Feb 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on Tuesday to take special control of the Russian-Ukrainian border.
Biden Administration Urges Renewal of Congressional Surveillance Program VOA 28 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden's administration urged Congress on Tuesday to reauthorize a controversial surveillance program that officials say has become a vital tool of protecting the United States from all manner of threats, from foreign terrorist attacks to Chinese efforts to steal U.S. technology.
Statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the Biden-⁠Harris Administration's Support for the Reauthorization of Vital Intelligence Collection Authorities The White House 28 Feb 2023
China blasts US 'unreasonable' crackdown after TikTok ban Global Times 28 Feb 2023 -- Commenting on the US government's recent ban on a Chinese firm's short video-sharing app TikTok, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday slammed Washington for its abuse of state power in unreasonably cracking down on businesses from other countries, suggesting the US' lack of confidence against a mobile app.
China: US abusing state power with TikTok bans Press TV 28 Feb 2023 -- China says the United States is abusing state power to impose bans on the Chinese-owned video app TikTok.
US, Canada Eliminating TikTok on Government Devices VOA 28 Feb 2023 -- Canada and the United States moved forward Monday with bans of TikTok on government devices.
Interview about Russian Disinformation - "The most obvious change are the technological capabilities." Germany - Federal Government 27 Feb 2023 -- How have developments over the past twelve months been shaped by Russian disinformation? How can we deal with the manipulation of information? These are the issues that Jakub Kalenský, an expert on Russian disinformation, talks about in an interview on the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
1992 Consensus, policy of "one country, two systems" two concepts: mainland spokesperson People's Daily 25 Feb 2023 -- The 1992 Consensus and the policy of "one country, two systems" are two concepts, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Friday.
Ex-Army colonel who spied for China sentenced to 7.5 years in prison CNA 24 Feb 2023 -- The Taiwan Kaohsiung District Court said Friday it had handed down a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence to a retired Army colonel found guilty of corruption for taking money to provide information to China.
Blinken tells China's top diplomat balloon 'unacceptable violation of US sovereignty' Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2023 -- China and the U.S. continued to trade accusations over the suspected spy balloon shot down off the South Carolina coast earlier this month as the two countries' top diplomats met.
Dutch gov't expels Russian diplomats for alleged espionage People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- The Dutch government announced on Saturday the expulsion of a number of Russian diplomats for alleged espionage.
Moscow to respond to Dutch decision to reduce Russian diplomat numbers People's Daily 20 Feb 2023 -- Russia will respond to the Netherlands' decision to limit the number of Russian diplomats in the country, TASS news agency reported citing the Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday.
Russia to Respond to 'Unfriendly' Dutch Decision on Diplomats, Missions Says Foreign Ministry Sputnik 20 Feb 2023 -- Moscow considers the decision of the Netherlands to reduce the number of Russian diplomats and close the Russian trade mission as an unfriendly move aimed at destroying relations, will respond to it, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Exclusive: US military uses balloons, disguises recon aircraft as civilian planes to spy on China: report Global Times 20 Feb 2023 -- High altitude balloons are widely used for weather surveillance by countries around the world, but the US recently created a series of "spying" dramas hyping China's unmanned airship that went out of control, which not only built up tensions, but also seriously harmed China's rights through the use of force. An exclusive report obtained by the Global Times on Monday shows that the US military frequently conducted close-in reconnaissance on China, including the use of balloons, making the US the top spying country in the world.
Taiwan military releases photo of Chinese weather balloon debris CNA 19 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's military on Saturday night made public a photograph of the wreckage of a suspected Chinese weather balloon found on one of its offshore frontline islets near China on Thursday, saying it had concluded the device did not have audio or video recording capabilities.
US: No Apology From China for Balloon Surveillance VOA 19 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says his Chinese counterpart, top diplomat Wang Yi, did not apologize during a meeting in Munich for Beijing's violation of U.S. airspace with its high-altitude surveillance balloon, even as Blinken told him the spying was unacceptable and must never occur again.
US calls off search for unidentified aerial objects shot down over Alaska, Lake Huron Press TV 18 Feb 2023 -- The United States has called off a search for two unidentified aerial objects that were shot down by the military over Alaska and Lake Huron, respectively, last week.
Spy Balloon Lifts Veil on China's 'Near Space' Military Program VOA 18 Feb 2023 -- The little-noticed program that led to a Chinese spy balloon drifting across the United States this month has been discussed in China's state-controlled media for more than a decade in articles extolling its potential military applications.
Political Consultant Sentenced for Scheme Involving Illegal Foreign Campaign Contribution to 2016 Presidential Campaign US Dept. of Justice 17 Feb 2023 -- A Texas man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for his role in funneling illegal foreign campaign contributions from a Russian national to a 2016 presidential campaign.
Sanctioned Moldovan Oligarch With Ties to Russia Running Ads on Facebook VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- Social media platform Facebook allowed a sanctioned Moldovan oligarch to run ads aimed at fomenting anti-government sentiments and destabilizing the Moldovan government, reports The Associated Press.
US says 'no apologies' to China over balloon downing, claims Russian jets over Alaska Press TV 17 Feb 2023 -- US President Joe Biden says he plans to talk to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping following the shooting down of what Washington had claimed to be a Chinese "spy" balloon earlier this month, but he will "make no apologies" for the incident.
Unidentified Object Downed by US Could Belong to Hobbyists VOA 17 Feb 2023 -- After days of speculation about the origins of the unidentified flying objects that U.S. fighter jets shot down over Alaska and Canada last week, an Illinois-based club for balloon hobbyists might have an answer.
Justice and Commerce Departments Announce Creation of Disruptive Technology Strike Force US Dept. of Commerce 17 Feb 2023 -- Joint Venture in More Than 10 Cities Will Enforce U.S. Laws Protecting U.S. Advanced Technologies from Illegal Acquisition and Use by Nation-State Adversaries
Moscow expels 4 Austrian embassy employees in tit-for-tat move People's Daily 17 Feb 2023 -- Moscow has declared four employees of the Austrian Embassy in Russia "personae non gratae" in a retaliatory move, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
Remarks by President Biden on the United States' Response to Recent Aerial Objects The White House 16 Feb 2023
Taiwan military finds Chinese weather balloon debris on frontline islet CNA 16 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's military found the wreckage of a suspected Chinese weather balloon on one of its offshore frontline islets near China early on Thursday.
Biden seeks 'common global norms' for aerial objects Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday he would seek new "common global norms" for launching and maintaining unmanned aerial objects, following a two-week period in which U.S. forces shot down three such objects and an alleged Chinese spy balloon.
US media: Biden to set new guidelines on Chinese spy balloons Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2023 -- New details have emerged about the suspected Chinese spy balloon with President Joe Biden expected to deliver remarks to address the incident while Beijing continues slamming U.S. "overreaction."
Kremlin-Linked Leader Of Wagner Mercenary Group Acknowledges Ownership Of 'Troll Factory' RFE/RL 14 Feb 2023 -- The leader and co-founder of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is known to have close ties to President Vladimir Putin, has acknowledged for the first time that he owns the Internet Research Agency -- a so-called "troll factory" in St. Petersburg specialized in creating fake social-media accounts and spreading disinformation and propaganda.
NATO launches new 'surveillance' network as war rages on in Ukraine Press TV 14 Feb 2023 -- The chief of the NATO military alliance has announced a plan to launch a new "virtual network" comprising national and commercial satellites as the war in Ukraine approaches one year.
Detected Chinese balloons all weather balloons: Taiwan's military CNA 14 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's military on Tuesday said all Chinese balloons detected in Taiwan's airspace to date were weather balloons and did not pose a security threat that justified shooting them down.
No spy balloons over Taiwan, defense ministry says Radio Free Asia 14 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has dismissed concerns about China flying spy balloons over the island while the U.S. said it has recovered "significant debris" from the balloon that was taken down off the coast of South Carolina.
US: No Initial Evidence 3 Downed Objects Linked to China or Other Foreign Spying VOA 14 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. government said Tuesday that so far it has no evidence that the three airborne objects it shot down last weekend over North America were linked to China or any other foreign spy program.
No evidence downed aerial objects linked to China: White House Press TV 14 Feb 2023 -- The White House says there is no evidence that the unidentified aerial objects shot down recently by the US were connected to China or any foreign country's spying program.
3 Downed Objects Still Unrecovered, Says US Military VOA 14 Feb 2023 -- The United States said Monday it does not know the origin of the three high-altitude objects it shot down over the past few days as they drifted in the winds over North America.
Australia Says It Foiled Iranian Surveillance Plot VOA 14 Feb 2023 -- Australian security agencies say they have shut down a foreign interference plot by Iran. The conspiracy allegedly included individuals conducting surveillance of the home of an Iranian-Australian, who was linked to Australian protests about the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran last year.
Ministry says US balloons have often flown over China People's Daily 14 Feb 2023 -- China said on Monday that high-altitude balloons from the United States had flown over its airspace more than 10 times since the beginning of last year without permission from Chinese authorities.
US Military: Origin of 3 Downed Objects Unknown VOA 13 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. said Monday it does not know the origin of the three high-altitude objects it shot down over the last few days as they drifted in the winds over North America.
Balloon row: China says US flew over 10 high-altitude balloons over its airspace since 2022 Press TV 13 Feb 2023 -- China says US high-altitude balloons flew over its airspace without permission more than 10 times since the beginning of 2022, widening a diplomatic row between the two countries over balloons.
Beijing Says US Balloons Illegally Entered China's Airspace Over 10 Times Since Early 2022 Sputnik 13 Feb 2023 -- On February 4, the United States shot down what it claimed was a Chinese surveillance balloon over the Atlantic Ocean. China insists the airship was engaged in scientific research and had been accidentally blown off course.
US high-altitude balloons have illegally flown over Chinese airspace on more than 10 occasions since 2022: Chinese FM Global Times 13 Feb 2023 -- US high-altitude balloons have illegally flown over Chinese airspace on more than 10 occasions without the approval of the relevant Chinese authorities since January 2022, and the first thing the US should do is to reflect on its own behavior, instead of slandering, smearing and provoking confrontation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Monday's regular press briefing.
Chinese Surveillance Balloons Global in Scope, Says Official DoD News 13 Feb 2023 -- When President Joe Biden came into office, he directed the U.S. intelligence community to do a broad assessment of Chinese intelligence capabilities, said John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council in the White House, speaking to the media today.
Efforts Underway to Recover Object Downed Over Lake Huron DoD News 13 Feb 2023 -- Efforts are underway to recover remnants of an object shot down yesterday over Lake Huron by a U.S. fighter jet — the third object downed over North America since a U.S. missile took down a Chinese surveillance balloon on Feb. 4.
Radar tweaks driving balloon finds, US officials say Radio Free Asia 13 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. Air Force is seeing more "airborne objects" across North America's skies after recalibrating radars patrolling U.S. airspace, defense officials said Monday after three such objects were shot down over the weekend.
Beijing denies 3 'objects' downed by US came from China Radio Free Asia 13 Feb 2023 -- Beijing has denied any knowledge of the three "airborne objects" that the U.S. military shot down in North American airspace over the weekend as China prepares to take down an unidentified flying object near one of its main naval bases.
No Link Between Alleged Chinese Spy Balloon and Latest Downed Objects - National Defence Sputnik 13 Feb 2023 -- No links have been made between the alleged Chinese spy balloon downed over the Atlantic, and the latest three unidentified objects shot over Alaska, Yukon and Lake Huron, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Major General Marc-Andre Prevost said on Monday.
Dozens of Chinese Military Balloons Detected Over Taiwan in Recent Years, Reports Say Sputnik 13 Feb 2023 -- Dozens of Chinese military surveillance balloons were detected over Taiwan over past years, media reported on Monday, citing Taiwanese officials.
Pentagon Says Currently Unable to 'Definitively Assess' Nature of Downed Objects Sputnik 13 Feb 2023 -- The US Department of Defense (DOD) currently lacks sufficient information on the airborne objects that were shot down over the past days, according to the Pentagon.
US Knew Nothing About China's 'Spy Balloons' Several Months Ago, Senate Majority Leader Says Sputnik 12 Feb 2023 -- US military and intelligence knew nothing about the existence of Chinese "spy balloons" until a few months ago, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Sunday.
Chinese Balloon 'Egregious Violation' of US Airspace, White House Says VOA 10 Feb 2023 -- President Joe Biden ordered the Pentagon to shoot down an unidentified object over Alaska on Friday, less than a week after a U.S. fighter jet fired a missile to take down a Chinese surveillance balloon over the Atlantic Ocean.
US: Chinese Military Likely at Center of Balloon-Spying Operation VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- The United States said Thursday that the Chinese balloon shot down by the U.S. military over the weekend was capable of collecting intelligence signals and was part of a Chinese military surveillance program around the globe.
Asia Fact Check Lab: Did the U.S. balloon strike violate international norms? Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2023 -- A Chinese high-altitude balloon entered U.S. airspace on Jan. 31 and was shot down by a U.S. F-22 fighter jet on Feb. 4. China's Ministry of National Defense claimed the U.S. response was "an obvious overreaction." China's Foreign Ministry said the action "violated international norms and the spirit of international law."
US to 'Explore' Retaliation for Balloon Flyover as White House Alleges Vast Chinese Spy Operation Sputnik 09 Feb 2023 -- Although the US Air Force already shot down the Chinese high-altitude balloon that flew over much of the US last week, the Biden administration is reportedly still considering further punitive actions in response to the flight. The Pentagon has claimed the balloon carried sensitive equipment for monitoring signals.
DOD Is Focused on China, Defense Official Says DoD News 09 Feb 2023 -- A Defense Department official today stressed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that China remains the pacing challenge for the U.S. government.
China declines US proposal for phone call between defense chiefs on civilian unmanned airship incident PLA Daily 09 Feb 2023 -- China has declined the US proposal for a telephone conversation between the defense chiefs of China and the US, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, in a statement on Thursday.
China Seen Risking Escalation With Spy Balloon Silence VOA 09 Feb 2023 -- Anger and disgust over China's decision to violate the sovereign airspace of dozens of countries and scour the globe with a fleet of surveillance balloons is giving way in Washington to larger concerns about Beijing's behavior — behavior that could bode ill for future incidents.
Disinformation - EU responses to the threat of foreign information manipulation European External Action Service (EEAS) 08 Feb 2023 -- Today the European External Action Service (EEAS) under the patronage of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell brought together top political representatives and experts from around the globe to discuss the threats of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).
US: Chinese Spy Balloons Have Violated Sovereignty of Nations on 5 Continents VOA 08 Feb 2023 -- The United States said Wednesday that Chinese surveillance balloons have been spotted across at least five continents over the past several years and that Washington has been in contact with its allies to share information on the operations.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an On-Camera Press Briefing DoD 08 Feb 2023
China's deepfake anchors spread disinformation on social media, Graphika says Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2023 -- Artificial intelligence-generated news anchors have been deployed for the first time to propagandize political content on social media, a U.S. research firm said in its latest report.
Disinformation: Opening speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EEAS Conference on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference European External Action Service (EEAS) 07 Feb 2023
Gen. Glen VanHerck, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, Holds an Off-Camera, On-The-Record Briefing on the High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon Recovery Efforts DoD 06 Feb 2023
U.S. Navy Collecting Surveillance Balloon Debris DoD News 06 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. military today began collecting the remnants of a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon shot down by an Air Force fighter over the weekend.
US Retrieving, Analyzing Pieces of Downed Chinese Spy Balloon VOA 06 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. said Monday it is continuing to collect pieces of the high-altitude Chinese spy balloon it shot down over the Atlantic Ocean last weekend and that intelligence experts have started to analyze them.
US searches for remains of suspected spy balloon Radio Free Asia 06 Feb 2023 -- An operation is underway to recover the debris of the suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down by the U.S. Air Force as Beijing warns against escalation and threatens retaliation.
Tokyo Studying Data on Chinese Balloon as Similar Objects Appeared Over Japan Sputnik 06 Feb 2023 -- Japan is analyzing information related to the appearance of a Chinese balloon over the United States, as similar objects appeared over Japan in 2020 and 2021, Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki said on Monday.
US Navy Divers Search for Chinese 'Spy Balloon' Wreckage Sputnik 06 Feb 2023 -- Although the US claims that the unmanned balloon was being used for espionage purposes, China insists the airship was a civilian craft engaged in scientific research that was blown off course by high winds.
US failed to detect previous China 'spy balloons': Air Force general Press TV 06 Feb 2023 -- A high-ranking American general says the United States, which recently claimed to have spotted and shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon, had failed to detect previous airships, calling it an "awareness gap."
US sincerity to stabilize ties under test amid airship incident; overreaction exposes incompetence in crisis management Global Times 06 Feb 2023 -- The shooting down of a civilian Chinese airship did not mark the end of the balloon episode, as US politicians continued to either advance "China threat" rhetoric or add fuel to the political struggles between the two parties in the US regardless of the impact on China-US relations, analysts said. Turning an accident caused by force majeure into a political farce highlights the US' incompetence in dealing with crises, and the US' rude handling of the balloon incident is a serious provocation that risks derailing China-US ties and it will eventually pay the price for its recklessness.
China urges US to handle balloon accident in calm, professional and restrained manner Global Times 06 Feb 2023 -- China urged the US to handle the balloon accident in a calm, professional and restrained manner, but the US insistence on using armed force in disregard of China's position and demands is obviously an overreaction, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.
China lodges solemn representation to US embassy over shooting down of civilian airship Global Times 06 Feb 2023 -- Representing the Chinese government, China's Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng lodged a solemn representation on Sunday to the US Embassy in China over the US' attacking a Chinese civilian unmanned airship by force.
Balloon moved slowly over U.S. due to stratospheric warming: Expert CNA 05 Feb 2023 -- A suspected Chinese surveillance balloon "drifted so slowly" over the continental United States because of a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event over the Arctic, said Cheng Ming-Dean (鄭明典), the director-general of the Central Weather Bureau.
Republicans, Democrats Squabble Over Shoot-Down of Chinese Spy Balloon VOA 05 Feb 2023 -- A political partisan divide quickly emerged Sunday over the U.S. shoot-down of a Chinese spy balloon, with the Biden administration defending its safe takedown offshore over the Atlantic Ocean while Republicans contended it should have been shot down more than a week ago before it could fly across the country over key military installations.
China condemns US attack on civilian unmanned airship and reserves the right to deal with similar situations PLA Daily 05 Feb 2023 -- The US used force to attack China's civilian unmanned airship, which was an obvious overreaction, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), in a statement released on Sunday afternoon.
US Use of Military Power Against China's Civil Balloon Excessive: Chinese Defense Ministry Sputnik 05 Feb 2023 -- The use of military power by the United States against a Chinese civil unmanned balloon is an excessive reaction and Beijing reserves the right to take further necessary action, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
China expresses dissatisfaction and protest over US shooting down civilian airship; US sets bad precedent Global Times 05 Feb 2023 -- China expressed strong dissatisfaction and protest on Sunday against the US' move to shoot down a non-threatening Chinese airship for civilian use, calling the US' move an overreaction and vowing to reserve the right to take necessary actions. By turning an unintentional accident into an incident that has been hyped by the US officials and media, Washington is adding new uncertainties into the already-intense relations with China, creating a bad precedent for blurring the line between civilian and military uses, experts said.
UPDATE: Chinese Defense Ministry sternly protests against US' attack on Chinese civilian airship Global Times 05 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese Defense Ministry on Sunday protested against the US' move to shoot down a Chinese civilian unmanned airship which made an unintended entry into the US airspace due to force majeure. Experts said that US' reaction could escalate tensions between the two countries' militaries.
FM expresses strong dissatisfaction, protest against US' shooting down China's civilian airship Global Times 05 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed strong dissatisfaction and protested against the US' use of force to shoot down a Chinese civilian airship, urging the US to properly handle the incident.
China Expresses Protest Over US Downing Balloon Sputnik 05 Feb 2023 -- A Chinese high-altitude balloon has been floating over the United States. It first became public knowledge after it was spotted over the skies of Montana. Bloomberg reported earlier on Saturday that the balloon was first spotted by US officials on January 28 off the coast of Alaska.
Republicans blast Biden's handling of Chinese 'spy' balloon Press TV 05 Feb 2023 -- Republicans have slammed US President Joe Biden over his handling of the alleged Chinese "spy" balloon, after a US fighter aircraft shot down it off the coast of South Carolina, further straining taut relations with Beijing.
Biden congratulates US military, with a trillion dollar budget, for shooting down Chinese 'spy' balloon Press TV 05 Feb 2023 -- The Pentagon has said that a United States fighter aircraft downed a Chinese "spy" balloon off the coast of South Carolina, amid worsening Sino-US relations. China has rejected US accusations and blasted the Pentagon's decision.
Senior Defense Official and Senior Military Official Hold an Off-Camera, On-Background Press Briefing Update on the High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon DoD 04 Feb 2023
Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III DoD 04 Feb 2023 -- This afternoon, at the direction of President Biden, U.S. fighter aircraft assigned to U.S. Northern Command successfully brought down the high altitude surveillance balloon launched by and belonging to the People's Republic of China (PRC) over the water off the coast of South Carolina in U.S. airspace.
F-22 safely shoots down Chinese spy balloon off South Carolina coast US Air Force 04 Feb 2023 -- A U.S. Air Force fighter safely shot down a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a written statement.
FM expresses strong dissatisfaction, protest against US' shooting down China's civilian airship Global Times 04 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed strong dissatisfaction and protested against the US' use of force to shoot down a Chinese civilian airship, urging the US to properly handle the incident.
US shoots down Chinese spy balloon off eastern coast Radio Free Asia 04 Feb 2023 -- A U.S. fighter jet on Saturday shot down off the South Carolina coast a suspected Chinese spy balloon that had flown over the United States for several days, roiling already troubled relations between the two world powers.
US Shoots Down Alleged Chinese Spy Balloon Sputnik 04 Feb 2023 -- The balloon, which the United States has claimed is a Chinese surveillance balloon, first became public knowledge on Thursday, though Bloomberg reported earlier on Saturday that the Biden administration has known about the craft since January 28.
Statement from the Minister of National Defence Canada 04 Feb 2023 -- "Today, the United States took definitive action to bring down China's high-altitude surveillance balloon that has violated U.S. and Canadian airspace and international law."
China blasts 'spy balloon' hype, urges communication to avoid misjudgment Global Times 04 Feb 2023 -- China has blasted the hype of a balloon incident, saying China does not accept any groundless speculation or hype and opposes the practice of certain politicians and media in the US who use the incident to attack China even though China has explained clearly the balloon spotted in the US is a civilian airship designed for meteorological research purpose and made the unintended entry due to force majeure.
Pentagon Claims Second Chinese Surveillance Balloon Detected Over Latin America Sputnik 04 Feb 2023 -- Reports of the high-altitude balloon have prompted a multitude of Chinese spying accusations despite confirmation from the Chinese government that the balloon was a civilian device used for meteorological research.
China does not accept baseless speculation, hype, Wang Yi says in phone talks with Blinken after balloon incident Global Times 04 Feb 2023 -- China is a responsible country and has always strictly abided by international law. We do not accept any groundless speculation and hype, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China said in phone talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday after the US continued to hype an balloon incident.
CIA director: China readying for Taiwan invasion by 2027 Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to be able invade Taiwan within the next four years, CIA director William Burns said Thursday.
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an On-Camera Press Briefing DoD 03 Feb 2023
Pentagon: Another Chinese Balloon Spotted Over Latin America VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- The U.S. Defense Department said Friday another Chinese surveillance balloon is sailing over Latin America, two days after a similar high-altitude balloon was discovered traveling over the United States.
General Says Chinese Surveillance Balloon Now Over Center of U.S. DoD News 03 Feb 2023 -- As of noon today, the maneuverable Chinese surveillance balloon, which was over Montana yesterday, was at an altitude of about 60,000 feet and floating over the center of the continental United States in an easterly direction, posing no risk to commercial aviation, military assets or people on the ground, said the Pentagon press secretary.
US says Chinese balloon is for spying, as Blinken delays trip Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- The Pentagon said that a Chinese high-altitude balloon flying over the U.S. had the capability to conduct surveillance and was controllable, despite China's contention it is a weather-monitoring system that had simply been blown off course.
China rejects US' spy balloon accusation, says civilian airship deviated from planned course caused by force majeure Global Times 03 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that an unmanned airship that appeared in the US is a civilian airship from China that deviated far from its planned course, and said China will continue communicating with the US to properly handle the unexpected situation caused by force majeure.
China says balloon flying over US is 'civilian airship' blown off course Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- China has hit back at US accusations over the balloon sighted flying over the United States, saying that the balloon is a civilian meteorological "airship" used for scientific research purposes.
Pentagon accuses China of flying spy balloon over US; Beijing 'verifying' claims Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- Washington has accused China of flying a surveillance balloon over sensitive sites ahead of a planned visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing, with China warning against any "hype" over the issue before verification of facts.
Pentagon: Suspected Chinese Surveillance Balloon Being Tracked Over Northern US Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- While there is no official confirmation the balloon belongs to China, US intelligence said they have "very high confidence" it is operated by the Chinese government. US defense officials also indicated that while the incident is not unprecedented, the device is staying over the US longer than usual.
Beijing Says Speculation Related to 'Spy Balloon' Over US Inappropriate Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- Speculation on the topic of a "spy balloon" allegedly detected over the United States will not contribute to the resolution of the issue until all the details are established, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.
US Postpones Blinken's China Trip After Spy Balloon Discovery VOA 03 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed his trip to Beijing after a Chinese balloon was discovered hovering in American airspace.
Blinken delays China trip after balloon detection Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indefinitely delayed a planned trip to China this weekend, with an official citing a "violation of our sovereignty" after a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected flying over the state of Montana.
Blinken Postpones Beijing Trip Over Chinese Balloon in Sky Over US Until 'Conditions Are Right' Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reportedly suspended his trip to China this weekend, citing the detection of a Chinese high-altitude balloon over the continental United States.
US hypes spy balloon, brings 'China threat' to new level Global Times 03 Feb 2023 -- Recent signals sent from the US on China have been utterly chaotic, which may bring more uncertainty to already strained bilateral relations, Chinese analysts said on Friday. They urged the US to be more sincere in fixing relations with China instead of making provocative actions against it, especially after the picture of a white balloon made headlines in the US and some Western countries on Friday, as Pentagon officials claimed that a Chinese spy balloon hovering over Montana this week had a flight path that took it over "sensitive sites" in the US.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Unintended Entry of a Chinese Unmanned Airship into US Airspace Due to Force Majeure PRC MofA 03 Feb 2023
China Says Balloon Seen Over US is Civilian Airship That Blew Off Course Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- China's Foreign Ministry has explained that the balloon is used for "research purposes" and that it deviated from its planned course due to winds.
Secretary Blinken's Call with People's Republic of China (PRC) CCP Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2023
Senior State Department Officials On the People's Republic of China US Dept. of State 03 Feb 2023
Chinese Ambassador to Canada Reportedly Summoned Over Balloon Incident Sputnik 03 Feb 2023 -- Global Affairs Canada summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Ottawa over the incident involving a balloon flying over the country, a Canadian news agency reported on Friday.
Statement on High Altitude Surveillance Balloon Canada 03 Feb 2023 -- A high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected and its movements are being actively tracked by NORAD.
DoD Statement on High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon DoD 02 Feb 2023
Senior Defense Official Holds a Background Briefing on High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon DoD 02 Feb 2023
U.S. Tracking High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon DoD News 02 Feb 2023 -- An intelligence-gathering balloon, most certainly launched by the People's Republic of China, is currently floating above the United States, the Defense Department announced Thursday evening.
US reports Pentagon tracking suspected Chinese 'spy' balloon over America Press TV 03 Feb 2023 -- The US military has been tracking a suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon used for spying activities over mainland United States.
FBI to search former US vice president's home for more classified documents Press TV 02 Feb 2023 -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is soon expected to search former US Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana home and Washington, DC, office for classified material, according to American media reports.
In Arrest Of Former Top FBI Agent, Shadow Of Russian Oligarch Deripaska Looms - Again RFE/RL 02 Feb 2023 -- On November 21, 2021, FBI agents acting on a court-ordered search warrant seized the personal electronic devices - cell phones, computers, tablets, and similar items - of a former Russian diplomat and a retired FBI agent.
Azerbaijan Reportedly Detains Dozens Suspected Of Spying For Iran RFE/RL 01 Feb 2023 -- Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry has detained around 40 people it suspects of being part of an Iranian spy network that used religion to push pro-Iranian propaganda.
FBI Agents Find No New Classified Documents at Biden's Vacation Retreat VOA 01 Feb 2023 -- FBI agents reported they found no new classified documents in a search Wednesday at U.S. President Joe Biden's vacation retreat in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, his personal lawyer said, although they did take some materials for further review.

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