The Pentagon has been tracking a suspected Chinese spy balloon flying over the US for two days. -AP
The Pentagon is tracking a suspected Chinese spy balloon which has been flying over the United States, a spy-movie like intelligence collection method that recalls the lengths to which Beijing and Washington are willing to go to spy on each other amid increased tensions.
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"Clearly the intent of this balloon is for surveillance," a senior US defence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said on Thursday.
The official said Washington had been tracking the balloon since it entered US airspace two days ago, including by observing it with manned US military aircraft.
Senior military leaders considered shooting down the spy balloon over Montana but eventually recommended against it because of the potential safety risk from debris.Â
