Anne ApplebaumHas 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?
Alexander Ruthol@anneapplebaum
The obvious explanation would be signal intelligence. Can't do that from a satellite. Well, not all of it.
I'd recommend shooting down the balloon to see what sensors it's got. That'd tell us what its purpose is.