On December 8, Taiwan accused China of escalating tensions by sending a suspected weather balloon and 12 fighter jets across the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, just one month ahead of the scheduled presidential election on the island. Taiwan, which is democratically governed but claimed by China as its own territory, has repeatedly raised concerns about the Chinese military’s regular patrols and drills near the island over the past four years.
In the latest incident, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that 12 Chinese fighter jets crossed the median line, which was previously considered an unofficial barrier between the two sides. However, Chinese planes now routinely fly over this zone. The defense ministry also made an unusual addition to its statement, noting that a Chinese balloon was detected approximately 101 nautical miles southwest of the northern Taiwanese city of Keelung. The balloon moved eastward for nearly an hour, crossing the strait before disappearing.
Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng addressed the incident, suggesting that it was likely a weather balloon. He emphasized that the defense ministry felt an obligation to report the incident to the public, stating, “Otherwise, if after other units or other countries have reported it, everyone will wonder why (we) did not report it. The defense ministry requires all our subordinate units to have a grasp of the enemy situation.”
The heightened tensions come amid Taiwan’s preparations for presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for January 13. The handling of relations with China has become a major point of contention in the election campaign. The recent incident adds to the ongoing challenges in the Taiwan Strait, as both sides navigate complex geopolitical dynamics and historical territorial disputes.
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