Introduction

The recent interception and shooting down of a Chinese balloon by the US, purportedly a “spy balloon”, raises questions about the legitimacy of spying among states. Espionage by countries is a common occurrence, including between allies, and is often used to gather information for foreign policy purposes. This essay will critically discuss the legitimacy of spying among states in the context of the current tensions between China and the US, which have been growing since 2018. The essay will also examine why China would use a low-tech form of espionage when they have hundreds of satellites orbiting the earth.

Legitimacy of spying among states:

Espionage is often viewed as a necessary evil in international relations. States engage in espionage to protect their national security interests, gather intelligence, and gain an advantage over their rivals. Espionage can also be used to monitor the activities of other states and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. However, there are limits to what is considered legitimate espionage.

The United Nations Charter recognizes the sovereignty of states and prohibits the use of force in international relations. However, the Charter does not explicitly prohibit espionage, and states have traditionally viewed espionage as an acceptable means of gathering intelligence. Nevertheless, there are international laws and norms that regulate espionage activities.

For example, the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations establishes the rules of diplomatic immunity, which provides protection to diplomats and embassy personnel from arrest and detention. However, the Convention also recognizes that diplomats have certain obligations, including the obligation not to interfere in the internal affairs of the host country.

The legitimacy of spying among states is often a matter of perspective. For example, the US and China have different views on what constitutes legitimate espionage. The US has accused China of engaging in cyber espionage and stealing intellectual property, which the US sees as a threat to its national security. China, on the other hand, has accused the US of spying on its government and military installations, which it sees as a violation of its sovereignty.

US-China tensions and the “spy balloon” saga:

The US-China tensions have been growing since 2018, when the US initiated a trade war with China. The two countries have also been at odds over issues such as human rights, Taiwan, and the South China Sea. The interception and shooting down of a Chinese balloon by the US, purportedly a “spy balloon”, is likely to escalate tensions between the two countries further.

From a foreign policy perspective, the US’s interception and shooting down of the Chinese balloon can be seen as a demonstration of its military capabilities and a warning to China. However, China is likely to view this as a violation of its sovereignty and a hostile act by the US. This could further strain US-China relations and lead to retaliation by China.

Why would China use a low-tech form of espionage?

China has a large number of satellites in orbit around the earth that are capable of gathering intelligence. However, it is possible that China may have used a low-tech form of espionage, such as a balloon, for several reasons.

Firstly, balloons are relatively cheap and easy to deploy compared to satellites, which can be expensive and require advanced technology. Secondly, balloons are less likely to be detected than satellites, which can be tracked by other countries. Thirdly, balloons can be used for specific purposes, such as gathering information in a particular area, without the need for continuous surveillance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, spying among states is a common occurrence, and the legitimacy of espionage is often a matter of perspective. The interception and shooting down of a Chinese balloon by the US, purportedly a “spy balloon”, raises questions about the legitimacy of spying among states and is likely to escalate tensions between the US and China. While China has a large number of satellites in orbit, it may have used a low-tech form

Espionage between countries is an old phenomenon, and it is witnessing progress according to the recorded scientific development, and it includes various military, technological, industrial, and other fields. For this method, and currently China is one of the countries that are very active in this field, It is accused of industrial and technological espionage today in a large way, so that there are observers who consider that a large part of its great technological and industrial development today is due to its reliance on espionage operations on various American and Western companies in general, despite its justifications for the balloon, as it is a scientific balloon for monitoring weather conditions. And it deviated from its course, but it is clear that it is one of the espionage operations that it has launched against the United States and some other countries for decades, and this incident can be placed in the category of operations that have become usual and routine for espionage between countries, because even the United States, which criticizes China for its espionage, is also practicing it. And on a large scale and in different fields, Although espionage in itself is an illegal and unacceptable process, various countries practice it in secret, even if they criticize it in public.