A recent report has shed light on the true nature of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s spy balloons, debunking their claimed purpose of meteorological research and revealing their offensive military applications.
This revelation comes on the heels of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s remarks about moving past the controversy surrounding a Chinese surveillance balloon hovering over the Malmstrom Air Forces Base in Montana, a facility where nuclear weapons are stored.
China’s massive surveillance craft, equivalent in size to three Greyhound buses, traversed the United States, beginning their journey from Alaska in January 2023. Their mission came to an abrupt end in February when an F-22 fighter jet intercepted and shot down the Chinese spy balloon approximately six nautical miles off the coast of South Carolina.
Throughout its presence in U.S. airspace, the balloon reportedly gathered intelligence on various aspects of American life.
The China Media Studies Project, a branch of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), has published a comprehensive report on this issue. The report incorporates materials from the China Military Network, an official outlet of the People’s Liberation Army, which had previously released an article titled “An Omnipotent Weapon—How Amazing are Near Space Vehicles?” prior to the spy balloon’s entry into U.S. airspace.
In this article, researcher Qiang Tianlin emphasizes the potential for near-space vehicles to revolutionize air defense and anti-missile combat. By equipping these vehicles with weapons platforms, Tianlin suggests that global-scale attacks could be carried out with unprecedented speed.
The term “near-space” refers to the region above commercial flight paths, where air devices can operate beyond ordinary surveillance capabilities.
Tianlin also highlights the growing significance of information superiority in future conflicts and proposes that near-space vehicles can play a crucial role in achieving this advantage, including executing space-based countermeasures and strikes.
MEMRI’s report is vital as it reveals that the Chinese spy balloons are not limited to espionage activities but are designed for offensive military operations as well. While the focus has primarily been on the intelligence gathered by these balloons during their surveillance of U.S. states, MEMRI’s findings extend beyond that.
Through the translation of open-source Chinese government documents and news reports, the report uncovers the broader military application of surveillance balloons, airships, and airship-borne hypersonic vehicles by the Chinese regime.
The downing of the spy balloon led to a response from Chinese state-controlled media outlet Guancha.cn, which published an article authored by retired senior Chinese air force colonel Wang Xiangsui. Titled “The Airship was Shot Down And Has Fulfilled An Amazing Strategy Research Article Published Nine Years Ago,” the article explores the potential of airships to become the core of a new generation of air defense systems.
While some may attempt to downplay the significance of these incidents, they are indicative of a pattern of Chinese aggression and dangerous behavior. The Biden administration has taken steps towards addressing these challenges, but there is much work yet to be done.
Collaboration among the United States, its allies, and partners is essential to effectively counter China’s aggressive actions in all domains. It is crucial to approach the relationship with China from a position of strength and ensure that any engagement is based on realistic expectations rather than wishful thinking.
Source Fox News
