US tracks suspected Chinese surveillance balloon spotted flying over sensitive sites

The US is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted flying over sensitive sites in recent days. Defence officials said they were confident the "high-altitude surveillance balloon" belonged to China. 

It was most recently seen above the western state of Montana. But military leaders decided against shooting it down as there were concerns over the danger of falling debris. 

China has not yet commented. US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation. The object flew over



Alaska's Aleutian Islands and through Canada before appearing over the city of Billings in Montana on Wednesday, officials said.

A senior defence official speaking on condition of anonymity said the government prepared fighter jets, including F-22s, in case the White House ordered officials to shoot down the object. Top military leaders, including Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, met on Wednesday to assess the threat.