Beijing reveals US as 'NO.1 spy empire' that spies extensively, non-discriminately, even on allies

NBC: The United States has now shot down four flying objects in US and Canadian airspace, one of which was a balloon claimed by China. Can you confirm that any or all of the three other objects also belong to China or is this just a coincidence?  Wang Wenbin: We have made it clear time and again that the entry of the Chinese civilian unmanned airship into US airspace was a purely unintended, unexpected and isolated event caused by force majeure. As to the “unidentified objects” you asked about, I do not have anything on that. We do need to point out, however, that the US’s downing of the unmanned airship with advanced missiles is a trigger-happy overreaction. Many in the US have been asking: what good can such costly action possibly bring to the US and its taxpayers?   As a matter of fact, it is the US who is the No.1 surveillance country and has the largest spy network in the world. The US National Security Agency spied on calls and chat messages to and from the phones of leaders of Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and other European countries. The US has been operating a highly secretive signals intelligence collection program through almost a hundred US embassies and consulates worldwide. Anzer, a cybersecurity information platform, revealed last year that the NSA stole more than 97 billion pieces of global internet data and 124 billion phone records in 30 days, compromising the privacy of citizens across the world. Namibia recently found in its waters a US saildrone used to gather data under water, and local media generally believe it to be an American spy drone. The US knows how many surveillance balloons it has sent into the skies in the world. It’s quite clear to the global community which country is the No.1 spy empire in the world.  AFP: I have another question regarding China’s balloon shot down by the US ten days ago. The foreign ministry said it was for civilian use. Can you tell us which entity it belongs to? Wang Wenbin: We’ve stated repeatedly our position on the unmanned airship’s unintended entry into US airspace. But let me share with you some facts. Over the years, the US has been engaged in massive, non-discriminate wiretapping and secret theft operations globally, including against its allies, by abusing its tech advantage. These operations violate the sovereignty and interests of countries around the world, the international law and basic norms governing international relations, which makes the US the absolute No.1 country in terms of spying and surveillance.  The US military vessels and aircraft conduct frequent close-in reconnaissance on China, including 657 sorties last year and 64 sorties in January this year in the South China Sea alone, which seriously undermines China’s national security and regional peace and stability. US balloons have often entered other countries’ airspace illegally. Since last year, US high-altitude balloons have flown over Chinese airspace over ten times without authorization from China. The US needs to reflect on its own behavior and change course rather than attacking others and stoking confrontation. Asahi Shimbun: As the balloon issue is escalating, is China and the US engaging in negotiations to avoid conflict? Wang Wenbin: China and the US have maintained necessary communication. What is important is to properly handle this unexpected situation caused by force majeure in a calm, professional and restrained manner. __________________ ShanghaiEye focuses on producing top-quality contents. Nobody knows SHANGHAI better than us. Please subscribe to us ☻☻☻ __________________ For more stories, please click ■ What's up today in Shanghai, the most updated news of the city    • Playlist   ■ Amazing Shanghai, exploring the unknown corners of the city, learning the people, food and stories behind them    • Amazing Shanghai and China 淘宝魔都玩转中国   ■ What Chinese people's lives are like during the post COVID-19 period    • COVID-19 新冠疫情   ■ Views of foreign scholars on China and its affairs    • Voices, Let's Listen! 听她他说   ■ Foreign faces in Shanghai, people living in this city sharing their true feelings    • Playlist   ■ Mini-docs showing why China is the country it is today    • Stories & Documentary 奇闻逸事记录中国   __________________ ☎Leave us messages if you have any suggestions or questions! Thank you!