Enlarge image
The balloon flying over the USA
Photo: Anna Griffin/AP
According to US information, the suspected Chinese spy balloon discovered is not the only one: Another possible observation balloon is hovering over Latin America.
“We're seeing reports of a balloon flying over Latin America.
We are in the process of finding out if this is another Chinese surveillance balloon," said US Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder.
Details are not yet known.
Ryder did not specify where exactly the balloon was sighted over Latin America.
The first balloon meanwhile flew over the middle of the USA in an easterly direction.
On Thursday evening, the Pentagon announced for the first time that such a balloon had been in US airspace for days (read here what a balloon is good for espionage).
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled his planned trip to China in the coming days on Friday.
Blinken sharply criticized China for its behavior.
Blinken speaks of an "irresponsible act"
In a telephone conversation with high-ranking Chinese official Wang Yi, he said the presence of the surveillance balloon in US airspace "is a clear violation of US sovereignty and international law."
It is an "irresponsible act".
At the same time, Blinken said in the phone call that the United States wants diplomatic ties with China - "and that I plan to visit Beijing if the conditions are right".
The US Secretary of State later said in front of journalists: “First of all, we have to ensure that this espionage part leaves our airspace.” The government is focused on that.
However, he did not say how this should be done.
The Pentagon had previously said it had decided against shooting down the balloon because of the danger of falling debris.
The US broadcaster CNN, citing a US defense official, reports that the balloon could fly out over the east coast on Saturday and leave the United States.
China raises accusations against US politicians and media
Meanwhile, the Chinese news agency Xinhua wrote about the conversation between Blinken and Wang that it took place "in a calm and professional atmosphere".
Wang warned against "misunderstandings" and rejected "baseless speculation".
China is "a responsible country and always strictly abides by international law," Wang claimed, according to Xinhua.
China had previously asserted that it was a "civilian" balloon, particularly for "meteorological purposes," which accidentally flew into US airspace.
At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused the United States of exploiting the balloon's overflight: "Some politicians and media in the United States are using the incident as an excuse to attack and slander China," a spokesman said, according to Xinhua.
China has "never" violated another country's territory or airspace, he claimed.
Tensions between China and the United States have increased significantly in recent years.
Among other things, it is about the conflict over Taiwan and trade issues.
In the past few months, however, there had also been signs of relaxation.
Biden and Chinese head of state Xi Jinping met last November on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Indonesia.
Biden emphasized that he wanted "vigorous" competition with China, but "no conflict".
kko/dpa/AFP