Officials say Biden administration privately discussed Chinese spy balloon with Beijing before informing public

The Biden administration State Department officials held private talks with Beijing counterparts about a Chinese spy balloon that intercepted U.S. airspace in 2023. The officials discussed the implications of the balloon’s presence on the relationship between the U.S. and China. U.S. officials identified the spy balloon on Jan. 28, 2023, and shot it down off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4, 2023. Internal State Department documents show that discussions were held with Beijing on Feb. 1, 2023, about the balloon and the potential impact of disclosing it publicly.

An internal State Department readout of the talks stated that revealing the presence of the spy balloon could have profound implications for the relationship between the U.S. and China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also mentioned that the incident could complicate his travel plans to China in early February 2023. Blinken ultimately postponed his trip until June 2023. Former Biden administration officials confirmed that the State Department informed China to remove the balloon and warned that action could be taken to eliminate it. The longer it took to address the issue, the greater the likelihood that news of the balloon would become public, posing more challenges.

The Pentagon issued a statement on Feb. 2, 2023, acknowledging the presence of a high-altitude surveillance balloon in U.S. airspace. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden received a briefing on the balloon on Jan. 31, 2023, but did not provide details on why the administration waited until Feb. 2 to issue a statement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the situation, including the delay in disclosing information to the public and shooting down the balloon. An Air Force fighter jet shot down the balloon on Feb. 4, 2023.

The Pentagon confirmed that the Chinese spy balloon violated U.S. sovereignty and was seeking to monitor sensitive military sites. Similar balloons from China had transited U.S. airspace during the Trump administration. Biden authorized the takedown of the balloon as soon as it could be done safely, without risking harm to civilians below. It was later determined that the balloon did not gather any information as it traversed the U.S. airspace. Blinken, who was involved in the talks with Chinese counterparts, is now a speaker with CAA Speakers. A spokesperson for Biden did not provide immediate comment on the situation.

Overall, the discussions and actions taken in response to the Chinese spy balloon incident highlighted the complex relationship between the U.S. and China. The implications of the balloon’s presence on national security and diplomatic relations were carefully considered by both the Biden administration and U.S. officials. The delay in issuing a public statement and the subsequent handling of the situation drew criticism from political figures such as Marco Rubio, reflecting larger concerns about transparency and communication in matters of national security. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and tensions in U.S.-China relations.