As the UK launches a security review into this threat, a minister claims it is possible that spy balloons from China have flown over the UK.
A number of flying objects were shot down over North America in the last week , with another four being destroyed by fighter jets Sunday at the request of the US President Joe Biden.
Beijing admitted that one of the balloons was from China , , but claimed it was a “civilian aircraft” .
Politics Live: China has flown spy missions to the UK
Sky News’ Richard Holden, the transport minister, said Monday that China was “a hostile state”. He added: “We must be aware of it and how it behaves… We have to be really strong in our dealings avec China.”
When asked if spy balloons had flown over the UK before, he replied: “It’s possible.”
“It is also possible – and I think probable – that people from China will try to act as hostile states.
“We saw it here in the UK with Russia with the Salisbury poisonings, and other actions they’ve taken.”
Continue reading: What spy balloons are?
US is on alert – but it hasn’t ruled out extraterrestrials
“Global threat picture changing for the worse”
Mr Holden said: “I think it’s important to be realistic about what these countries are doing to the UK.
“They don’t care about our democratic values and they don’t care about standing up for human right around the globe.”
On Sunday, Ben Wallace Defence Secretary confirmed that the government will be conducting a security review of spy balloons.
He stated that he would collaborate with the US and other partners to examine intelligence and evaluate the threat they pose.
He said that the UK and its allies would review what these intrusions into airspace mean for security.
“This is yet another indication of how the global threat landscape is changing for worse.”
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