comment: >
  
  Also same reason USA gave for it balloon flights over USSR and PRC during cold war, when confronted about it. So they are just plain "oldie but goodie" excuse and also probably from China bit of "we haven't forgotten, that you used to do this to us".
context: “Why is the telescope pointed down”
  “…” >
  
  Because if it was pointed up, they’d just see the bottom of the balloon. >
  
  I think its time for the Canadians to send them some balloons in response
  Started has the balloon wars! >
  
  99 luftballons >
  
  red ones >
  
  Call Goldfinger >
  
  Well, that is an old one. Wasn't that the reason given about why the U2 that was shot down over the USSR with Francis Gary Powers was flying that day?