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
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IXIO6HJ2B7CHX4UEBDVZ3CRX6M.jpg?smart=true&auth=788d7f51d1c0c82cd4ba7ab0ed652e33e96ae64fe4e17f3fa95addc3ac0af533&width=400&height=225)
A jet flies by the balloon. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YXZMGXSWC4PP2WOMDR5UNTSGQQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7a0642003bfd1a395c8bf0f9cee3b55a984997f1842c3034db239d56a247a4f8&width=400&height=225)
Another spectator watches after the balloon was shot down. Reuters
The suspected Chinese spy balloon over Billings, Montana. AFP
China has conducted spy balloon programme for years, Pentagon says
Washington working with Nato and countries globally to inform about possible operations by Beijing
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The National
09 February, 2023
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