The Global Times suddenly gets some juicy content from a Chinese geospatial-intelligence startup 觅熵科技 MizarVision and an anonymous PLA source on U.S. reconnaissance on China and disputing the Chinese "spy balloon" narrative
Let's break it down
A THREAD
mp.weixin.qq.com
Let's break it down
A THREAD
mp.weixin.qq.com
MizarVision said, citing Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the U.S. military has been conducting 抵近侦察 close-in reconnaissance on China rampantly - at least 600+ times in 2022 over 中国南海 "Chinese South China Sea."
Since U.S. recon planes sometimes
Since U.S. recon planes sometimes
close responders or use fake identification numbers, the real number is larger than 600+, MizarVision said.
"In the East China Sea...especially during the 2022 Taiwan Strait military exercises, the US military frequently dispatched special operations aircraft such as RC-135, U-2
"In the East China Sea...especially during the 2022 Taiwan Strait military exercises, the US military frequently dispatched special operations aircraft such as RC-135, U-2
, P-8A, EP-3E, and EP-3C to conduct close-in reconnaissance activities in China's East and Yellow Seas and other waters."
"The US military has also repeatedly used other countries' civilian aircraft identification codes to conduct close-in reconnaissance activities against China
"The US military has also repeatedly used other countries' civilian aircraft identification codes to conduct close-in reconnaissance activities against China
. According to the report by MizarVision, during a military exercise conducted by the Chinese military in the Yellow Sea in 2020, the US military used electronic codes of Malaysian and Philippine civilian aircraft to conduct close-in reconnaissance against Hainan Island and
the Xisha Islands. In late August 2020, the US also converted a Bombardier business jet and conducted close-in reconnaissance against China for three consecutive days under the guise of civilian activities while actually carrying out military reconnaissance activities."
Regarding this dangerous behavior, Zhu Yaochun, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Air Transport Association, recently pointed out in an interview with the Global Times that the US military's use of other countries' civilian aircraft identification codes poses a clear risk to
the safety of ordinary civilian aircraft, violates the rights of civil aviation, and constitutes a serious illegal activity of an extremely heinous nature.
[Comment: I'm no expert on civil aviation law or - if there is any - international/bilateral code of military conduct, so
[Comment: I'm no expert on civil aviation law or - if there is any - international/bilateral code of military conduct, so
I'll leave it to better hands to analyze if the U.S. military conducts, as alleged here, violate any agreed norms. Worth noting that the Global Times report does not exactly say the U.S. recon activities violate Chinese sovereign air space. ]
GT further cites the report as saying
GT further cites the report as saying
in recent years, the US military's methods of conducting close-in reconnaissance against China have included the use of US ships, military aircraft, impersonation of commercial ships or civilian aircraft, high-altitude "balloons," and other means. Their close-in reconnaissance
methods include information gathering against Chinese military ships, such as submarines; electronic reconnaissance to decipher Chinese military communication and radar frequencies; optical reconnaissance and radar imaging reconnaissance to probe Chinese islands, reefs, and
defense facilities; and aerial reconnaissance to obtain information on the frequency and response time of Chinese fighter jet takeoffs. The purpose of these reconnaissance activities is mainly to understand the Chinese military's activities, operations, weapons and equipment
development, and deployment.
[Comment: While I suspect some will say if the practice doesn't violate sovereignty, international law, or agreed int'l/bilateral code of conduct (if there is any) then it's fair game, Beijing has long voiced protests against U.S. close-in recon.]
[Comment: While I suspect some will say if the practice doesn't violate sovereignty, international law, or agreed int'l/bilateral code of conduct (if there is any) then it's fair game, Beijing has long voiced protests against U.S. close-in recon.]
And we go with the 一位匿名军方人士 anonymous PLA source.
The source told the Global Times since 2009, in order to contain China's development, the United States has begun to shift its strategic focus to the east and has significantly increased its frequency of close-in recon
The source told the Global Times since 2009, in order to contain China's development, the United States has begun to shift its strategic focus to the east and has significantly increased its frequency of close-in recon
in China's coastal areas. Especially as the Chinese military gradually moves toward deep blue waters, the United States has become increasingly anxious and always maintains a "let's see what they have in their yard" mentality, using various means to conduct close-in recon
against China. Moreover, the US military has also conducted project exercises for "continuous strategic bombing operations" in China's coastal areas to strategically deter China.
The source told GT that the United States, using its technological advantages, conducts surveillance
The source told GT that the United States, using its technological advantages, conducts surveillance
activities on countries around the world, including China, highlighting its hegemonic mentality of needing to control every situation. In addition to this, in order to contain China's rise, the United States also carries out intelligence surveillance and even subversive and
destructive activities against China's projects along the Belt and Road, as well as countries and regions with close exchanges and friendly relations with China. The various regional bureaus of the US State Department have even created specialized positions to monitor China's
economic, technological, diplomatic, and military activities in those regions, and even to intervene in the overseas activities of Chinese companies.
[Comment: I suppose the reaction would be: isn't that fair game for all?]
[Comment: I suppose the reaction would be: isn't that fair game for all?]
Then we are getting to what I belive the most valuable input from the anonymous PLA source here
The anonymous military source mentioned above stated that the Chinese unmanned airship [comment: the Chinese version of the spy balloon] that mistakenly entered the United States 不可能是用于“高空侦察” couldn't have been used for "high-altitude reconnaissance."
"The anonymous PLA source said even US Department of Defense officials and experts have said that this balloon cannot be used for reconnaissance activities. for conducting military reconnaissance, reconnaissance satellites are more efficient and valuable than balloons."
[Comment: it would be much more impactful if the anonymous PLA source could cite its own knowledge to reveal the details about the unmanned airship.]
That source added, in direct quotes now, "However, the current political atmosphere in the United States disrespects
That source added, in direct quotes now, "However, the current political atmosphere in the United States disrespects
professionalism and common sense, blows things out of proportion, and deliberately creates sensational headlines to counter China. It is important to note that the United States is currently analyzing the payload of the balloon, and we should be wary of fabricated results to
further discredit China."
[Comment: Beijing will pay close attention to the findings of the U.S. regarding the debris of the unmanned airship, should it decides to publish them.]
Then the Global Times report further states:
[Comment: Beijing will pay close attention to the findings of the U.S. regarding the debris of the unmanned airship, should it decides to publish them.]
Then the Global Times report further states:
According to the journalist from the Global Times, in this incident, the Chinese side has always maintained a positive and cooperative attitude and kept in close communication with the US regarding the matter. However, the US side has disregarded the dialogue already underway
between the two parties and the efforts made by Chinese companies/company, resorting to the use of force unilaterally. This clearly violates the spirit of peaceful resolution of international disputes and once again exposes the nature of the US in abusing its military power and
pursuing a unilateral approach.
[Comment: Once again, Beijing is saying a company/companies are involved in the unmanned airship incident, and the new info is that the company/companies have made "efforts." It would help a lot if more details could be given.]
[Comment: Once again, Beijing is saying a company/companies are involved in the unmanned airship incident, and the new info is that the company/companies have made "efforts." It would help a lot if more details could be given.]
The official web site of the Chinese geospatial intel firm mizarvision.com
started only in March 2021
started only in March 2021
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