US State Department vows to continue efforts to expose and address China’s surveillance activities

The United States will continue to expose and address China’s surveillance activities that pose a threat to its security and its allies, according to US State Department spokesperson Ned Price. 

Speaking at a press briefing, Price said that the US will protect its interests and explore taking action against entities linked to the People’s Liberation Army that supported the recent incursion of a Chinese surveillance balloon into US airspace. Price described China’s actions as “irresponsible” and a violation of US sovereignty, and said that the US has been engaging with 40 nations on the issue. 

He emphasised the importance of approaching the challenge of China’s activities with allies and partners. US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin had earlier announced that a US fighter aircraft had shot down the high-altitude surveillance balloon, which had been used by China to surveil strategic sites in the US.