In china many tourist areas overlook navy bases. If a foreign tourist just points their camera in that direction, they are in for a rough time, perhaps even a couple of years in prison if they want to retaliate for something like the detaining of huawei CEO’s daughter. America is pretty benign in comparison

> Just don't tell anyone what you are gathering for the purpose of spying. Just tell (if anyone would be bothered enough) what you are a blogg^W influencer and making a new TikTok.

Yeah, like a Chinese national renting an apartment in some weird place and frequently "hiking" near missile silos with a bunch of unusual electronics isn't going to attract unwanted attention. The FBI would be totally fooled by your influencer ruse.

You know what's so great about spy baloons? They're things not people. Using them doesn't put any of your people at risk. That's, like, a consideration.