On Tuesday, three Chinese balloons reportedly crossed Taiwan island and approached an air base, according to the Taiwanese defense ministry. This marks the first time that such balloon incursions have been officially reported, following a series of similar incidents in the Taiwan Strait reported by the ministry starting last month.
The use of spy balloons by China has garnered international attention since February 2023 when the United States shot down a similar device, identifying it as a Chinese surveillance balloon. China contended that the balloon was a civilian craft that had accidentally drifted off course.
Taiwan has remained on heightened alert due to both political and military concerns, especially in the lead-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for January 13. China asserts territorial claims over Taiwan, considering it as part of its own territory.
In recent weeks, the Taiwanese defense ministry has reported multiple instances of Chinese balloons traversing the sensitive Taiwan Strait and crossing the northern part of the island before disappearing.
In the latest update, the ministry revealed that it had observed four balloons flying over the strait on Wednesday. Three of these balloons crossed the central part of the island, covering distances of 105 nautical miles, 160 nautical miles, and 159 nautical miles, respectively, towards the southwest of Ching Chuan Kang, a crucial location for the Taiwan Air Force Base. The balloons disappeared at different points, as reported by the ministry.
The ongoing incursions raise concerns about potential surveillance activities and military posturing by China in the region, adding complexity to the already tense relations between Taiwan and the mainland.
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