The federal defence Minister says Canada “unequivocally supports” the United States government's decision to shoot down a high-altitude surveillance balloon that was suspected of spying for China, noting the balloon violated Canadian airspace.
Fighter jets downed the balloon off the Carolina coast on Saturday afternoon after it had travelled over sensitive military sites across North America.
A Pentagon official described the object as a manoeuvrable surveillance balloon flying at an altitude of about 18,288 metres, with a “payload” or basket underneath. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Saturday he ordered U.S. officials to shoot down the balloon earlier this week and that national security leaders decided the best time for the operation was when it moved over water.
U.S. officials also announced Secretary of State Antony Blinken was postponing a planned high-stakes weekend diplomatic trip to China.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada says NORAD tracking Chinese surveillance balloon detected over the U.S.One of the places the balloon was spotted was Montana, which is home to three nuclear missile silo fields.
Read more »
Canada says NORAD tracking suspected Chinese spy balloon spotted over Western U.S.The U.S. is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace for a couple days, the Pentagon said.
Read more »
Canada summons Chinese ambassador over high-altitude surveillance balloonChina's ambassador to Canada has been called onto the carpet to explain a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is hovering over the U.S.
Read more »
Canada summons Chinese envoy as Ottawa, Washington express displeasure over balloon | National NewswatchNational Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views. Make it a daily habit.
Read more »
Canada’s military tracking ‘surveillance balloon,’ Chinese ambassador called onto carpetCanada’s military is tracking what it says is a high-altitude surveillance balloon that may be a twin to a Chinese balloon being monitored by the Pentagon in the United States.
Read more »
Canada summons Chinese ambassador over high-altitude surveillance balloonChina's ambassador to Canada has been called onto the carpet to explain a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is hovering over the U.S.
Read more »