The curious case of a suspected Chinese spy balloon detected in the US

United States China

A high altitude balloon floats over Montana. The US is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon. Credit: Larry Mayer/AP

A Chinese balloon flying over United States air space has led to a dramatic increase in diplomatic tensions between Washington and Beijing. The US says it's a spy surveillance craft - but Beijing says it's a weather research device that got lost.


Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with 

Share

Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world