China has been secretly deploying high-altitude balloons to conduct surveillance over disputed territories in the South China Sea and the Himalayas, according to a recent report by the Financial Times. The balloons, which can fly as high as 25 kilometers and carry cameras, radars, and other sensors, are designed to evade detection and provide real-time intelligence to the Chinese military.
The report, based on satellite imagery and interviews with experts, reveals that China has launched dozens of balloons from at least three sites in the past two years, and that some of them have drifted over neighboring countries such as India, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The balloons can stay aloft for weeks or months, and can be controlled remotely or programmed to follow a preset route.
The use of balloons for surveillance is not new, but China's scale and sophistication of the operation is unprecedented, according to the report. China is believed to be using both indigenous and imported technology, and has been testing different types of balloons,
including solar-powered ones that can fly higher and longer. China is also developing anti-balloon weapons, such as lasers and missiles, to counter potential threats from other countries.
The report raises concerns about the implications of China's balloon surveillance for regional security and stability, as well as for international law and norms. The balloons could pose a risk of collision with civilian and military aircraft, and could violate the sovereignty and privacy of other countries. The balloons could also provide China with an advantage in any potential conflict, by giving it a better situational awareness and targeting capability.
The report calls for more transparency and dialogue among the countries involved, and for the establishment of rules and norms to regulate the use of balloons for surveillance. The report also urges the international community to monitor and expose China's balloon activities, and to develop countermeasures and deterrence strategies to prevent escalation and miscalculation.