Hold onto your red caps, patriots! Just when you thought the Chinese spy balloon saga couldn’t get any more bizarre, it turns out our very own Vice President Kamala Harris has a connection to the company behind those high-flying peeping toms. Buckle up, because this story is about to take you on a wild ride through the stratosphere of political intrigue and international espionage.
The Balloon Incident: A Brief Overview
In early February 2023, a Chinese spy balloon drifted over U.S. airspace for seven days before being shot down by an F-22 fighter jet off the Carolina coast. This incident caused significant diplomatic tension between the United States and China, leading to Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponing a planned visit to Beijing.
President Biden initially wanted to shoot down the balloon immediately but was advised to wait until it was over water to avoid endangering lives on the ground. The delay in action sparked criticism from Republicans and raised questions about the administration’s handling of national security threats.
The Harris Connection
The plot thickens when we examine the company behind the spy balloon technology. World View, a company co-founded by Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), specializes in stratospheric balloons for remote sensing and surveillance. Interestingly, World View received funding from Tencent, a Chinese company with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
While Kelly stepped down from World View in 2019 and placed his interest in a blind trust, the company’s connections to both U.S. government agencies and Chinese investors raise eyebrows. World View’s primary clients include the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and NOAA.
The Kamala Factor
Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been increasingly vocal on foreign policy matters, referred to the Chinese spy balloon as “not helpful” and justified its shootdown. She emphasized the need for clear policies and global standards for unidentified aerial objects.
The World View’s website underscores the dual-use nature of stratospheric balloon technology, which can be employed for both civilian and military purposes. The company’s involvement with both U.S. government agencies and Chinese investors highlights the complex web of international business and national security concerns.
Diplomatic Fallout and Future Implications
The spy balloon incident strained already tense U.S.-China relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping was reportedly unaware of the balloon’s deviation over U.S. airspace until it became an international incident, suggesting potential communication issues within the Chinese government.
Both President Biden and Vice President Harris have expressed commitment to supporting Ukraine and addressing broader geopolitical issues in the wake of the balloon incident. However, the revelation of connections between U.S. politicians, defense contractors, and Chinese investors raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the need for stricter oversight of technology transfers.
While World View maintains that Tencent’s investment does not grant the Chinese company any control over its operations, the incident highlights the need for greater scrutiny of foreign investments in sensitive technologies.
As the dust settles on the spy balloon saga, it’s clear that the incident has far-reaching implications for U.S.-China relations, national security, and the complex interplay between politics, technology, and international business. The involvement of high-profile figures like Vice President Harris and Senator Kelly only adds to the intrigue, ensuring that this story will continue to captivate American voters and policymakers alike.
Sources
1. To the stratosphere, for the planet
2. Kamala Harris Vice Presidential Candidate Tied To Spy Balloon Company With Chinese Funding
3. Former astronaut Sen. Mark Kelly started spy balloon company funded by China
4. China Balloon Had Western-Made Parts With English Writing, Lawmakers Told
More From Around the Web
Kamala brags about Biden’s response:
Kamala Harris brags that Biden "took the balloon down. Done."
She does not mention that Biden let the Chinese spy balloon surveil our entire country before eventually taking it down days later. pic.twitter.com/Mp5M2oVrOC
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 8, 2023
Nick Sortor calls out Kamala:
🚨 NEW: AZ Sen. Mark Kelly, who is a top contender for Kamala Harris’ VP spot, literally OWNS a Chinese-funded spy ballon company, per NYT
You just can’t make this stuff up 😂🤣
Great pick, Kamala pic.twitter.com/toaQsJIecd
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 27, 2024
