Downed Chinese Spy Balloon Raises Tensions with U.S.
On Saturday, February 4 the U.S. military shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina. The surveillance balloon, which was around 200 feet tall and the size of a passenger jet, was first spotted near the U.S. Aleutian Islands before making its way across Canada and the U.S. China claims the aircraft was a weather balloon that simply got blown off course and the U.S. overreacted. U.S. officials insist that the balloon had steering capabilities and spying equipment and hope to study the debris. While at the same time the head of the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command said the balloon did not pose a physical military threat.
What was shot down?
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_Downed Chinese Spy Balloon Raises Tensions with U.S.
Videos
News Articles
War of words over downed Chinese spy balloon continues as US recovers debris
THE GUARDIAN
February 6, 2023
US recovering balloon debris with no plans to return it to China
FRANCE 24
February 7, 2023
Top general says Trump-era spy balloons flew over the U.S. undetected
POLITICO
February 6, 2023
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/06/military-chinese-spy-balloon-00081371
US says it does not plan to return spy balloon debris to China
FINANCIAL TIMES
February 6, 2023
https://www.ft.com/content/bdf29ea5-bfdf-43f6-a845-38788544fdab
Balloon saga deflates efforts to mend US-China relations
BBC NEWS
February 6, 2023
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-64529922
Tensions over Chinese balloon demand wise heads and communication
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
February 7, 2023
Here is where US is taking remains of China spy flight
FOX NEWS
February 6, 2023
https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-taking-remains-china-spy-flight
Pentagon says it had an ‘awareness gap’ that led to failure to detect 3 Chinese balloons under Trump
CNN
February 6, 2023
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/06/politics/pentagon-balloon-monday/index.html
Assessment
Writing: Why is there conflict between China and the U.S?
Debate: What is the best way to resolve points of contention between China and the U.S.?
Poll: Do you support the U.S. shooting down the Chinese spy balloon?
Short Answer: What are the ramifications of escalated tensions between China and the U.S?
News Quiz
True/False
US-China relations are at the lowest point since the two countries established diplomatic ties. (T/F)
The Chinese spy balloon was 100 feet tall. (T/F)
A second Chinese spy balloon veered off course and is now over Latin America. (T/F)
Multiple Choice
Which U.S. political party has criticized President Biden for taking too long to shoot down the Chinese spy balloon and is pressuring the administration to take a tough stand towards China?
- Republican
- Democrat
- Green
- Libertarian
China claims the balloon shot down by the U.S. was intended for what purpose?
- Military invasion
- Weather
- Surveillance
- Tourism
All the following are points of contention between China and the U.S. EXCEPT.
- Trade
- Taiwan
- Terrorism
- Human rights
