The United States has been tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance spy balloon as it hovers in the stratosphere above U.S. territory. China can gain intelligence and information about U.S. political, economic, military, and technological strategies and developments through such espionage activities. However, it must be stressed that a surveillance spy balloon is very dated tech compared to its more than 260 spy satelites orbiting the globe. This information helps China advance its own interests and goals, such as improving its military capabilities, strengthening its negotiating position, and gaining a competitive advantage in trade and business. Unfortunately, this effort comes at the expense of the safety and security of Americans.

In recent years, the U.S. and China have been engaged in an escalating battle over cyber espionage and intellectual property theft. The U.S. has imposed sanctions and criminal charges against individuals and organizations linked to Chinese cyber espionage, while China has denied any involvement and accused the U.S. of using cyber attacks against its own citizens and companies.

The history of China spying on America is long and complex, spanning several decades and involving various methods and techniques. This history can be traced back to the Cold War era when both countries were engaged in intelligence-gathering activities against each other. In the decades that followed, China continued to use various means to spy on the United States, ranging from traditional methods such as human agents and hacking to more sophisticated techniques like cyber espionage.

One of the earliest known cases of Chinese espionage was the arrest of a spy in the 1980s. This individual was reportedly part of a network of spies working in the U.S., gathering information on military and technological secrets.

In recent years, there have been numerous cases of Chinese citizens and businesses being accused of espionage and theft of intellectual property from American companies.

One of the most significant examples of China’s spying activities was the case of Wen Ho Lee, a Taiwanese-American scientist who was accused of stealing nuclear secrets from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1990s. Despite being acquitted of most of the charges, the case raised concerns about the extent of Chinese espionage efforts and its ability to acquire sensitive information from the U.S.

In the 21st century, cyber espionage has become a major tool for China to gather information from the U.S. In 2014, the U.S. government formally accused the Chinese military of hacking into American companies and stealing sensitive information. In 2017, the U.S. Justice Department charged three Chinese citizens with economic espionage and theft of trade secrets from U.S. companies.

As technology continues to advance, it is likely that the espionage efforts of both countries will become even more sophisticated, making it more difficult to detect and prevent such activities. The U.S. takes various measures to prevent hostile countries from spying on it, including cybersecurity, counterintelligence, encryption, classified information protection, and diplomatic measures.

Hostile countries often use a variety of tactics to gather intelligence about their adversaries. One such tactic is the use of civilians to spy on their own country. This type of espionage can be highly effective, as these individuals are able to operate under the radar, blend in with their surroundings, and collect sensitive information without arousing suspicion.

Civilians who are used for this purpose come from a variety of backgrounds, including students, business travelers, and even tourists. They may be recruited or coerced into working for a hostile government and are often tasked with collecting information about the political, military, or economic activities of the targeted country.

One of the most significant ways in which civilians can be used to spy on their own country is through the use of technology. For example, they may be equipped with hidden cameras, microphones, or other surveillance equipment that can be used to collect information and transmit it back to the hostile government. Additionally, they may be asked to gather information about the country’s critical infrastructure, including power grids, communication networks, and transportation systems.

In some cases, hostile countries may also use civilians to plant malware or other malicious software in the targeted country’s computer systems. This can give the hostile country access to sensitive data, allowing it to gather intelligence, disrupt operations, and even launch cyberattacks.

Another way in which hostile countries can use civilians to spy on their own country is through the use of social engineering techniques. This involves using psychological manipulation to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information. For example, a civilian spy may pose as a researcher, journalist, or even a romantic partner to gather information.

The use of civilians to spy on their own country is a common tactic used by hostile countries to gather intelligence and disrupt their adversaries. These individuals can be highly effective, as they can blend in with their surroundings and collect information without arousing suspicion. It is important for governments to be aware of these tactics and take steps to protect their sensitive information and critical infrastructure.

The United States can take several measures to deter hostile countries from harming its national security interests, including strengthening its cybersecurity capabilities and imposing economic sanctions or other penalties on countries that engage in hostile acts against the U.S.

Importantly, the U.S. must show a willingness to defend U.S. interests and respond to threats. The U.S. must also work on improving counterintelligence activities to detect and prevent foreign intelligence services from conducting espionage against the U.S.

Another way to prevent hostile countries such as China from spying is to work with international allies and organizations to isolate those countries that engage in hostile acts and to promote a common stance against such hostile activities. An important factor in preventing hostile surveillance and spying is by raising awareness among citizens and organizations about the threats posed by hostile countries and the importance of protecting national security interests.

Perhaps the spy balloon is being used by China as a diversion, focusing U.S. attention on that device while China gathers information through other means. Regardless, the central issue is the blatant show of disregard for America and its sovereignty and security.

The U.S. will need to send a strong message to China that this hostile espionage act will not go unanswered. America’s national security is not a party and spy balloons are not welcome.