是时候戳破“间谍气球”把戏了 - 2023-02-05
An American flag waves outside the US Department of Justice Building in Washington, Dec 15, 2020.
More of a 'political balloon'
This morning Fox News said that a suspected Chinese spy balloon was hovering "over Montana", where there are "sensitive US ballistic missile assets".
CNN has posted the same story, saying that Pentagon has full custody of this "suspected Chinese surveillance balloon" and that "we have communicated the seriousness with which we take the issue".
So far, this story has been catchy enough to get "retired generals" and "patriotic young men" in the US interested.
However, it seems to me that this is not a media event, but rather a political balloon from Washington to maneuver the domestic audience before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives on his widely-expected first visit to China.
Like the news about high-ranking generals lately talking about a war with China by 2025, this news seeks to alarm US citizens that the threat from China is not remote, but everywhere and in everyday life. The US military is fully prepared and is ready to confront China.
At a time when Sino-US diplomatic exchanges are being arranged, Washington hawks are getting in the way. For those who profit from Sino-US problems, the prospect of improving bilateral relations is definitely not a good sign.
But we shall not let their tricks succeed.
Wang Wei, a researcher at the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Accusation not credible
Although some Pentagon officials claim that they have confirmed that the spy balloon belongs to China, doubts persist.
As we all know, satellite reconnaissance technology has made great progress in recent years. It's hard to imagine any big country in the world will be clumsy enough to rush spy balloons into the airspace of other countries when it owns reconnaissance satellites.
What's more, it's too early to judge whether the balloon is for military, or a meteorological observation purpose or if it was a scientific research balloon that lost its way.
The US government hyped up the Chinese spy balloon threat without fully gathering relevant information. This will only aggravate the US citizen's aversion for and distrust of China. This is not only irresponsible but also not conducive to the improvement and development of Sino-US relations.
He Weibao is an assistant researcher at the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Just a trick to defame China
In an era full of advanced technologies, including man-made satellites, common sense and a professional perspective will tell anyone that a "spy balloon" is a ridiculous assumption. The Pentagon's accusation is nothing but a story to play up the "China threat theory".
Ratcheting up tensions with China is a card that the US has played to add bargaining chips before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's widely-expected visit to China, and a popular tactic of the US government for benefits.
The US still adopts a Cold War mentality against China. Washington has established alliances, such as the AUKUS, to contain China, and the "China threat theory" was used as an excuse to enhance US-centered alliances.
Besides, US intelligence agencies need foreign threats — real or made-up — to benefit from.
But the Biden administration should realize that China-bashing is akin to playing with fire. The tactics to win support at home by inciting hatred will also make the US society more divided.
Liu Qiang, director of the academic council and a senior research fellow at the Shanghai Centre for RimPac Strategic and International Studies.
No evidence, no accusation
The US should refrain from accusing China without sufficient evidence.
Back in 2013, former NSA contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden had exposed that the US' PRISM surveillance program had spied on its own citizens and European officials and a number of world leaders.
Hope the balloon case indicates the US is willing to communicate with China on this issue. Communication should continue, but the farce should stop.
Shen Dingli, professor at, and former executive dean of, the Institute of International Studies, Fudan University.
Source: China Daily
