The US-China relations have been strained ever since an alleged Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the US coast. It has now been revealed that this was not a one-off event; former East Asia analyst for the CIA, John Culver, has said the Chinese balloons have been used for long-range missions for at least five years and some have even circumnavigated the globe. Recent findings from Synthetaic, an artificial intelligence company, have uncovered multiple images of balloons crossing East Asia.

The US has previously accused China of using its balloon program for espionage. Beijing denies that and has said it is strictly for scientific research. In response to the BBC report, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Katsunobu Kato, said the government was aware of the balloon activity and was taking "appropriate steps" to protect its citizens. This included being prepared to shoot them down if necessary, he said. China's Spy Balloon Programme: Uncovering Evidence of Flights over Japan and Taiwan.

These images have not been seen before and include one balloon crossing northern Japan in early September 2021, which appears to have been launched from deep inside China, south of Mongolia. The US has long accused China of using its balloon programme for espionage, however Beijing denies these claims and insists the balloons are strictly for scientific research.

Japan, a close ally of the US, is aware of the balloon activity and has said it is prepared to shoot them down if necessary in order to protect its citizens. Overall, evidence of China's 'spy' balloon program is concerning to all countries involved, as it could threaten the security of the US and its allies in the region. The US needs to continue to monitor the situation and take action if necessary to ensure the safety of its citizens and friends.