Satellite images show China’s extensive balloon program based on Hainan Island in the South China Sea, and U.S. officials say they know that is where the Chinese balloon launched before making its way across the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. believes a fleet of Chinese airships and balloons has flown over dozens of countries conducting surveillance from near space.

卫星图像显示，中国在南中国海海南岛开展了广泛的气球项目，美国官员说，他们知道中国气球在飞越太平洋之前就是从这里发射的。 美国认为，中国的一批飞艇和气球已经飞越了数十个国家，从近太空进行监视。