Last Update: February 13, 2023, 23:58 IST
UK PM Rishi Sunak (Image: Reuters)
According to reports, US officials suspect it was sent by Beijing to monitor sensitive sites but China has called it a weather balloon.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed on Monday to do “whatever it takes” to keep his country safe, amid growing fears that suspected Chinese spy balloons could also be targeting the UK, a day after When the US military shot down a fourth flying object over the US military. airfield.
During a visit to a hospital in northern England, Sunak said the UK was in constant contact with its partners across the Atlantic and stood ready for any security response.
Sunak’s response came as his Defense Minister Ben Wallace confirmed Britain was launching a review of the security implications of the recent incursion into western airspace.
“I want people to know that we will do whatever it takes to keep the country safe,” Sunak told reporters.
“We have something called a quick reaction warning force, which includes Typhoon aircraft on 24/7 readiness to police our airspace. I obviously cannot comment on matters of national security in detail, but we are working with our partners We are in constant touch with them and as I said we will do whatever it takes to keep the country safe.”
On Sunday, the US military shot down its fourth flying object, indicating they were still trying to determine details and did not rule out any explanation for the objects.
“The UK and its allies will review what these airspace incursions mean for our security. This development is another sign of how the global threat picture is changing for the worse,” said UK Defense Secretary Wallace.
Tensions have been rising since a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina last week.
According to reports, US officials suspect it was sent by Beijing to monitor sensitive sites but China has called it a weather balloon.
In Britain, Transport Minister Richard Holden said it was “possible” that Chinese spy balloons had already been sent to the country.
“It is also possible, and I think likely, that people in the Chinese government may be trying to act as a hostile state. I think we need to be realistic about the threat these countries pose to the UK. Should be.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic spat continues to escalate as the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday claimed that the US has flown balloons over its airspace more than 10 times in the past one year.
“It is not unusual for the US to illegally enter other countries’ airspace,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a press briefing.
“Since last year, American balloons have been flown illegally over China more than 10 times without any approval from the Chinese authorities.
Instead of defaming China and accusing it, America should first start clean, introspect.
Washington has not yet responded to Beijing’s allegations.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)