Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported today, Saturday, that it has detected 8 Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait over the past 24 hours, with two flying over the island, marking an escalation in activity as the Lunar New Year holiday begins. Taiwan has expressed concerns that these balloon flights pose a threat to aviation safety and are an attempt to conduct psychological warfare against the Taiwanese people. China considers Taiwan part of its territory, despite strong objections from the Taipei government.
In its daily report on Chinese military activities, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense indicated that the first balloon was detected on Friday morning, with another one spotted early in the evening. According to the map provided by the ministry, two balloons crossed the northern part of Taiwan. Others approached the coastline before disappearing, with one balloon flying over the sea to the north of Taiwan.
The Chinese Ministry of Defense did not respond to requests for comment on Saturday at the start of the holiday, which is the most significant celebration in the Chinese-speaking community. Last month, the Chinese government rejected Taiwan's repeated complaints regarding the balloons, claiming they are for meteorological purposes and should not be exaggerated for political reasons.
Chinese warplanes operate daily in the Taiwan Strait and often cross the median line that previously served as an informal barrier between the two sides. China states that it does not recognize the existence of this line. The possibility of China using balloons for espionage became a global issue last February when the United States shot down what it claimed was a Chinese surveillance balloon. China stated that the balloon was a civilian craft that had drifted off course.
