United States government officials have confirmed that a third Chinese spy balloon has been identified in the skies but are refusing to reveal the craftโs location.
The news comes after the U.S. military used an F-22 Raptor to take out a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, as Slay News reported.
The U.S. Air Force used a single air-to-air AIM-9X sidewinder missile fired at an altitude of approximately 58,000 feet to down the balloon.
The decision to shoot down the spy balloon came after Democrat President Joe Biden allowed it to fly thousands of miles over the continental U.S. during the last several days.
The Pentagon admitted in a statement that the Biden administration was aware that the balloon was gathering data but didnโt reveal what information it was collecting.
The Washington Postย reported that the U.S. officials have identified โa third operating elsewhere,โ but they declined to give the balloonโs location.
An official told the Post that Beijing was embarrassed by the incident.
โTheyโre in a very tough place,โ the official said.
โAnd they have very few cards to play right now.โ
The second Chinese spy balloon wasย detected over South America earlier this week, according to U.S. military officials.
โWe are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America,โ Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.
โWe now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon.โ
China was furious after the balloon was shot down,ย claimingย that it was โa clear overreaction and a serious violation of international practice,โ and that it reserves โthe right to make further responses if necessary.โ
โChina expresses its strong dissatisfaction and protest against the USโs use of force to attack civilian unmanned aircraft,โ a statement said.
โThe Chinese side has repeatedly informed the US side after verification that the airship is for civilian use and entered the US due to force majeure โ it was completely an accident.โ
โChina clearly asked the US to handle it properly in a calm, professional, and restrained manner.
โA spokesman for the US Department of Defense also stated that the balloon will not pose a military or personal threat to ground personnel.
โChina will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of relevant companies while reserving the right to make further necessary reaction,โ the Chinese concluded.
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