中 "Unidentified Flying Object Over Coastal Airspace of Shandong Province"... Authorities Announce Imminent Shootdown

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Chinese authorities reportedly identified an unidentified flying object over the coastal airspace near Shandong Province and announced plans to shoot it down, according to local Chinese media on the 12th.

Local outlets such as Zhiwu News and Pengpai News reported that the Qingdao City Zimo District Marine Development Bureau discovered an unidentified flying object in the waters near Rizhao City and is preparing to shoot it down. The Zimo District Marine Development Bureau notified fishermen operating at sea to maintain vigilance and pay attention to safety.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

They also announced the anticipated shootdown and requested cooperation. They asked that if debris falls near fishing boats, fishermen should take photos and, if conditions permit, assist with salvage operations. Pengpai News quoted the Marine Development Bureau as saying, "It is true that a security alert was issued to nearby fishing boats, but the nature of the object has not yet been confirmed."

The flying object was reportedly discovered on the first day (the 12th) of a military exercise conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the Bohai Bay Strait. However, the exact time when the object was detected and fishermen were notified to exercise caution and cooperate has not been disclosed.

Earlier, on the 4th (local time), the United States shot down a flying object suspected to be a Chinese "reconnaissance balloon" over North Carolina, followed by the downing of unidentified flying objects over Alaska and Canada on the 10th and 11th. The U.S. publicly identified the object shot down on the 4th as a reconnaissance balloon, but China criticized this, stating it was merely a civilian meteorological observation device and accused the U.S. of overreacting. A senior U.S. State Department official claimed, "The balloon manufacturer has direct ties to the Chinese military and is an approved supplier," while the balloon's manufacturer, Zhuzhou Rubber Research and Design Institute, reportedly denied any connection between the incident cited by the U.S. and their balloons.