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The Spying Arms Race

Earth is surrounded by a variety of space satellites. An red inflatable tube with a face and long arms looms over North America. Text reads: 'An escalation in the inflatable spying arms race'.

In February 2023 a Chinese high-altitude equipment-carrying balloon flew over the United States before President Joe Biden gave the order for it to be shot down by a fighter jet over the Atlantic Ocean. The United States claimed it was a spy balloon, carrying surveillance equipment, while China claimed it was a civilian airship carrying out meteorological research. Matt Golding sees the funny side of this diplomatic incident.