The suspected Chinese spy balloon over Billings, Montana. AFP
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The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the US coast, as seen from South Carolina. Reuters
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President Joe Biden congratulated fighter pilots for taking down the suspected spy balloon. AFP
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The balloon seen from Holden Beach. Reuters
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Spectators watch from the coast. Reuters
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A jet flies by the balloon. Reuters
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Another spectator watches after the balloon was shot down. Reuters
The suspected Chinese spy balloon over Billings, Montana. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N3ZBT4KUZYVKOMM5PFANICB2B4.jpg?smart=true&auth=baafc061bc11569fda197b90f14b62713a17f60622dfeac0e181051265a81ae6&width=400&height=225)
The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the US coast, as seen from South Carolina. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FIDKGB2YGHN5COA55SVFX2E7KI.jpg?smart=true&auth=2160cc8b1949dd145d8a48abb7d0ad825ce3a99131c42f709c96ce89fe01a693&width=400&height=225)
President Joe Biden congratulated fighter pilots for taking down the suspected spy balloon. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SRXHIZRVXNJQFPFWEXU44CJPRI.jpg?smart=true&auth=56144ca2df6ddc47c2334cf19f9c7493dfb961c45caa818efd92672af963f124&width=400&height=225)
The balloon seen from Holden Beach. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MYCIKGSLQWUREPS5OL6MF5SDZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=56d698c4e09e7ebadf31ec14b38c47bd7027c2ce2e91734d220ea8f9a45fc4e7&width=400&height=225)
Spectators watch from the coast. Reuters
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A jet flies by the balloon. Reuters
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Another spectator watches after the balloon was shot down. Reuters
The suspected Chinese spy balloon over Billings, Montana. AFP
The US-China balloon row is nothing but a load of hot air
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Sholto Byrnes is an East Asian affairs columnist for The National
07 February, 2023