It was like something out of a science fiction film when in early February 2023 TV news reported an unidentified aerial object flying over northern USA. The Pentagon quickly stated that this was an “intelligence-gathering balloon, most certainly launched by the People’s Republic of China.” More worryingly, it was spotted over Montana where there is a base for 150 intercontinental ballistic missiles.
At first President Biden was advised not to shoot down the high-altitude balloon as the debris from it could pose a risk to those under its flightpath. The Chinese foreign ministry said it did not pose a threat and was merely a civilian weather airship that had limited steering capacity, causing it to deviate far from its planned route. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said: “We hope the relevant parties will handle the matter in a cool-headed way.” Ex-president Trump was far from cool-headed, his response on social media: “SHOOT DOWN THE BALLOON.”
Contrary to the Chinese statements, the balloon had changed its course and was manoeuvrable. The view that it was an intelligence-gathering device prevailed and once the balloon was off the coast of South Carolina, it was shot
