Has someone written the definitive explanation of why China, which has high tech satellites, internet spyware and access to reams of stolen data, would even need a spy balloon?

@anneapplebaum
We still don't actually know if it was a military surveillance balloon, do we?

"Everyone" says it was, but was it?

Here's one voice (I know and trust) saying maybe not:

"Nothing about the size or design of this balloon speaks to the idea that it’s designed for surveillance rather than some more benign activity."

https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2023/2/4/2151068/-Chinese-balloon-continues-to-drift-across-the-U-S-as-others-are-reported-in-multiple-locations