House Speaker: China has ‘massive spy ring’ in US, says problem ‘much bigger’ than spy balloon

China steals billions in US intellectual property and runs a “massive spy ring” in US institutions, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said Sunday.

Comer argued during an appearance on ABC’s This Week that the problem of Chinese surveillance is “much bigger” than spy balloons hovering over the country. Comer slammed President Biden for allowing China’s ships to transit the continental US, but said the Biden administration’s failure to tackle intellectual property theft is the real problem.

“You know, China keeps stealing our intellectual property. They keep stealing our patents. They manipulate their currency. deserved research and development,” said Comer.

“So China is a problem and this government has not set a very good example of standing up to China. I think, you know, launching the balloon in the Atlantic after it’s flown over all the military bases, including my own Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is very disturbing,” he added.

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Rep. James Comer, a Kentucky Republican and chairman of the House Oversight Committee, says China runs a “massive spy ring” at US universities. (Photographer: Anna Rose Layden/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Republicans say Biden’s decision to allow China’s spy ship to transit the US is “very disturbing.” (US Naval Forces)

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The US shot down three planes in US and Canadian airspace last week. The first was the Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina, while the second and third were shot down over Alaska and Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau approved the strike on the third ship. Only the first balloon was publicly associated with China.

“I’m glad this government is taking the balloon issue more seriously. But we have a much bigger problem with China than the spy balloons. I mean that’s a problem. Their military continues to grow and expand,” Comer said Sunday.

The US and Canada have deployed salvage teams to collect and analyze debris from the three ships. The FBI is already working to identify makers of parts for the first balloon and may file criminal charges.

FBI Special Agents assigned to the Evidence Response Team are processing footage recovered from the High Altitude Balloon recovered off the coast of South Carolina. The footage was processed and shipped to the FBI lab in Quantico, VA. (FBI) (FBI)

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Secretary of State Tony Blinken canceled his planned trip to meet his Chinese counterpart and Chinese President Xi Jinping shortly after the balloon accident. Neither party has announced new dates for the meeting.