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
![](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
'UFOs' may be commercial craft and are probably not Chinese spy balloons, White House says
Beijing has accused Washington of sending its own 'high-altitude balloons' over China
![The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9e2159fa-e4db-4215-b498-6b3607b75bee.png?smart=true&auth=cf728de2f2d93afc214682199f23d53c844677eb59567fe99abdb1c7e9f03161&width=70&height=70)
The National
14 February, 2023
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic