China Spying On 40 Countries Through Balloon Program, U.S. Says

The Chinese spy balloon that flew over the U.S. for several days last week apparently had the capability to collect communications intelligence, and was a part of the surveillance campaign that has so far targeted over more than 40 countries spanning five continents, according to the U.S. government, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

The State Department on Thursday confirmed the details of U.S. findings based on images taken by U-2 spy planes of the balloon during flybys.

The balloon that hovered over the U.S. last week had multiple antennas to include an array likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications, while the solar panels pack enough power to operate intelligence collection sensors, according to officials.

Spokesperson Ned Price did not detail which countries other than the U.S. came under surveillance, however he did confirm that activity had occurred "over the course of several years."

"I’m not going to further characterize these countries," he said when asked by TURAN's Washngtin correspondent how he would define targeted countries.

The State Department also said the People’s Liberation Army, China’s military, is working directly with a balloon manufacturer to produce the surveillance devices and then deploy them worldwide. Washington will consider taking "punitive actions" against Chinese entities and work to expose and address the surveillance campaign.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.