Canada is tracking what it described as a “potential second incident” of a Chinese surveillance balloon moving over the country.
The announcement by Canada’s National Defence confirmed it was monitoring a high-altitude balloon and assured that Canadians were safe. It’s unclear if Canada was referring to the same balloon that was spotted flying over Montana, or if discovered a second craft.
“A high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected and its movements are being actively tracked by NORAD,” the National Defence wrote. “Canadians are safe and Canada is taking steps to ensure the security of its airspace, including the monitoring of a potential second incident.”
U.S. officials said they were monitoring a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that had come into American airspace from Canada.
News about the balloon came at a Georgetown University event Thursday when CIA Director William Burns told a crowd that China is the “biggest political challenge” facing the U.S.
“The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters. “The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground.”
Defense officials monitoring the balloon said they decided not to shoot down the “sizable” craft after determining the debris might harm people or property on the ground.
“We had been looking at whether there was an option yesterday over some sparsely populated areas in Montana,” the official said.
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Canada has been in constant contact with the U.S. as it monitors the progress of the balloon.
“NORAD, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, and other partners have been assessing the situation and working in close coordination,” the National Defense said. “Canada’s intelligence agencies are working with American partners and continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard Canada’s sensitive information from foreign intelligence threats. We remain in frequent contact with our American allies as the situation develops.
