"Chinese Reconnaissance Balloons in Germany Too? ... It's Too Early to Conclude"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the United States identified and shot down a Chinese aerial object discovered over the mainland as a 'reconnaissance balloon,' the German government has also begun assessing the situation after a reconnaissance balloon was spotted in Colombia, according to Germany's S?ddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) on the 6th (local time).

A German security official told SZ, "The German government is taking China's espionage activities and recent reports related to reconnaissance balloons very seriously and is consulting with key allies."

China's "reconnaissance balloon" was shot down by a U.S. fighter jet on the 4th (local time) and is falling into the sea off Surfside Beach, South Carolina.

When asked whether a reconnaissance balloon similar to the one seen in the United States had been spotted in German airspace, the official responded, "Relevant authorities are verifying the situation," adding, "Based on information gathered so far, it is too early to make a definitive conclusion."

Wolfgang B?chner, deputy spokesperson for the German government, expressed concern at a regular press briefing that day, saying, "The government has confirmed with concern the reports of the Chinese reconnaissance balloon over U.S. airspace and its subsequent shootdown," and added, "We hope this situation does not escalate tensions between the U.S. and China."

He did not respond to questions about whether there had been similar cases in Germany.

Earlier, the U.S. Department of Defense shot down an aerial object presumed to be a Chinese reconnaissance balloon off the coast of South Carolina, deploying multiple military assets including F-22 stealth fighters. The object fell into the sea after being shot down.

The Chinese government officially protested through diplomatic channels against the U.S. military's shootdown of the Chinese aerial object that entered U.S. airspace.