A Chinese spy balloon has been captured hovering over the United States, just days before a political meeting between the global superpowers.
The United States Military confirmed the presence of the "high-altitude surveillance balloon" which it detected and subsequently took custody of, once it entered American airspace.
Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder informed the public that the military had been tracking the surveillance equipment for several days, which was travelling above the altitude used by commercial air traffic.
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He stressed that the suspected spy balloon does not pose a threat to military personnel or anyone on the ground.
The Chinese government has responded, saying it is working to verify the claims made by the US Military.
It comes days before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is to travel for a significant trip meant to follow up on President Joe Biden’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last year.
The discovery, which awaits confirmation from China, could further strain tensions between the two superpowers.
CNN reported that Biden and officials have been briefed on the balloon and have decided that they will not shoot it down. They added that if the situation changes, they will have no other option than to "deal with it."
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