US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Wednesday that the United States has shared information it has received about a Chinese spy bullet with dozens of countries around the world, Reuters reported. At the same time, NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said that it is necessary to be aware of the “constant risk” of Chinese espionage, stressing that this airship confirms China’s pattern of behavior.

At a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Blinken also said he discussed with him the systemic and tactical challenges China poses to the alliance.

Blinken said the United States is receiving more information every hour about the spy balloon that the United States shot down on Saturday, and relevant findings will be shared with the US Congress and US allies and partners around the world.

Stoltenberg said the flight of the Chinese hot air balloon confirmed China’s pattern of behavior and the need to be aware of the constant risk of China’s espionage activities. He also said that China was “significantly” building up its military forces, including nuclear weapons, without any transparency.

Asked if Chinese leader Xi Jinping knew about the hot air balloon flights, Blinken said:

“As for who is responsible for this, it is China. And it doesn’t matter on some level who may or may not have been responsible. The fact is that China took part in this irresponsible action, which is a violation of our sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.”

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PHOTOS The first images of the remains of the downed US reconnaissance balloon. “Airship”, taller than the Statue of Liberty