Chronology: “spy balloons” and “unidentified flying objects”, a new source of international tension

What started with a downed Chinese balloon entering U.S. airspace has led to a string of mysterious “flying objects” and a new factor international tension.

Ministry of Defence USA As of now, he has no knowledge of the origin of the three artifacts shot down over the past three days in the US and Canada, and he can’t yet confirm if they’re Chinese, just like the spy balloon shot down on the 4th.

On Monday, China assured that American balloons had flown over the Asian country at least ten times over the past year and that this was a common occurrence.

The fact is that balloons or not, these objects have become a new factor in the crisis between the US and China.

“spy ball”

On February 2, the US Pentagon announced the discovery of a spy hot air balloon from China flying over its territory at a high altitude, not posing “any military or physical danger” to anyone on the surface, and specifying that it was not the first time in recent years that he had observed the activity of balloons of this type.

The discovery of the hot air balloon has strained bilateral relations between China And USA and caused the suspension of a trip to Beijing planned by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, which the U.S. administration considered an “unacceptable” violation of sovereignty and international law.

On February 4, the US shot down “spy balloon” and their remains fell into the sea, where they were collected by the US authorities. Since then, three more unidentified planes have been shot down by the US military, who have not yet been able to confirm whether they are of Chinese origin.

Timeline of deletions

February 4.- USA shoots down a Chinese “spy balloon” flying over its territory, sparking a political crisis between the two countries and suspending a trip that Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was planning to make to the Asian country.

February 5th.- China expresses deep “dissatisfaction and protest” due to the fact that USA “reacted warmly” to the use of force to bring down the “spy ball”.

February 6.- China He admits that the balloon belonged to him, although he assured that “it is a civilian airship used for research purposes, mainly meteorological”, which deviated from its course.

February 6. – White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says that at least three Chinese balloons flew over the United States during Donald Trump’s presidency (2017-2021).

February 8.- USA accuses China that he had worked for years on a “program” of spy balloons that had already flown over various regions, including Latin America, and that he was aware that five craft of this type had flown over the United States.

February 9th. China’s Defense Ministry rejects US proposal for high-level bilateral talks.

February 9.—The United States House of Representatives passes a resolution condemning China for violating national sovereignty with his “spy” ball.

February 9th.- USA ensures that Chinese spy balloons have flown over more than 40 countries on five continents in a plan directly linked to the Chinese military.

February 10.- USA shoots down another high-rise object of unknown origin over Alaska.

11 February. — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that US assistance has shot down an object flying over the Yukon region in northwestern Canada.

February 12.- The US shot down another unidentified flying object over Lake Huron, Michigan.

February 13. – The US Department of Defense does not know the origin of the three devices shot down in the last three days in the US and Canada, and cannot yet confirm whether they are Chinese, as well as the spy balloon shot down on the 4th. February.