Chinese spy balloon transmitted real-time intelligence from sensitive U.S. military sites to Beijing.

A Chinese spy balloon that flew over the US earlier this year was able to gather intelligence from military bases for days before it was shot down. The balloon was able to transmit data to Beijing in real time by picking up electronic signals rather than taking pictures. US officials say they managed to limit the balloon's intelligence-gathering abilities as it floated over the country. The incident triggered a diplomatic row and led US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a trip to China.