The Indo Daily: Spy in the sky — is China watching us?

The US shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon over its airspace, as well as a number of other unidentified objects. Relations between the two countries have since deteriorated. But what does it all mean? And what about claims that China might be spying on little old Ireland as well? Host: Kevin Doyle. Guest: Larry Donnelly and David O'Brien

The Chinese balloon on Wednesday last. Picture by Larry Mayer/The Billings Gazette

February 16 2023 02:00 AM

In early February the US shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon over its airspace, as well as a number of other unidentified objects. Relations between the two countries have since deteriorated.

But what about claims that China might be spying on Ireland as well? In recent days, Green Party TD Patrick Costello called for cameras produced by a company partially owned by the Chinese Government to be removed from Leinster House due to safety concerns.

David O’Brien lecturer in east Asian politics in Ruhr University in Germany told the Indo Daily, 'let's not forget, Ireland is important to China. Ireland is a very significant country for China because we are English speaking. So, I think it's not inconceivable that the Chinese are watching things here.