US and China Relations Strained as US Intelligence Uncovers Evidence of Chinese Military Surveillance Balloon Program

US intelligence officials have uncovered evidence that a recently recovered Chinese spy balloon is part of an extensive surveillance program run by the Chinese military, according to multiple American officials familiar with the intelligence. The US does not know the precise size of the fleet of Chinese surveillance balloons, but sources tell CNN that the program has conducted at least two dozen missions over at least five continents in recent years.

The surveillance program, which includes a number of similar balloons, is in part run out of the small Chinese province of Hainan, officials tell CNN. Roughly half a dozen of those flights have been within US airspace – although not necessarily over US territory, according to one official familiar with the intelligence.

After the US destroyed the suspected spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, China declined Washington’s request for a secure call between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his counterpart, National Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, the Defense Department said Tuesday. The aim of the call, it appears, was to ratchet down tensions and open further avenues for dialogue after the spy balloon saga in an effort to “responsibly manage the relationship” between the US and the People’s Republic of China, or PRC, said the Pentagon press secretary, Gen. Pat Ryder.

The US and China have had a strained relationship in recent years, with the US accusing China of espionage and other activities. US officials have expressed concern about the Chinese surveillance program, and have called for greater transparency from the Chinese government.

“Lines between our militaries are particularly important in moments like this,” said one official familiar with the intelligence. “We need to be able to communicate and work together to ensure that our respective countries are secure and that our citizens are safe.”