Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence reported on Thursday that it had detected three more Chinese balloons flying across the Taiwan Strait, with one of them actually crossing over the island’s airspace. This comes after a similar incident was reported on Wednesday, further heightening tensions between the two countries ahead of Taiwan’s presidential and parliamentary elections on Jan. 13.
The potential for China to use balloons for spying became a global issue back in February 2023 when the United States shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon, which China claimed was a civilian craft that accidentally drifted astray. This latest incident of Chinese balloons flying over Taiwan’s air space serves as a reminder of the ongoing military and economic pressure that China has been exerting on the island, which it claims as its own territory.
Taiwan’s defence ministry has been on high alert for Chinese activities, both military and political, in the lead-up to the elections. There have been concerns that China is attempting to interfere in the elections by using its military might and economic influence. Taiwan’s government has firmly rejected China’s claim over the island and has accused China of trying to undermine its democracy.
The defence ministry has reported several instances of Chinese balloons flying over the sensitive Taiwan Strait in the past month. However, what is particularly concerning about this week’s incidents is that two of the balloons actually flew over Taiwan’s airspace, not just the strait. On Thursday, the ministry’s daily update stated that one of the three balloons flew over the centre of Taiwan’s island before vanishing. This is a cause for serious concern as it suggests that China’s surveillance capabilities have advanced beyond just monitoring the strait.
The ministry has previously speculated that the balloons were being used for weather monitoring purposes. However, the fact that they have now crossed over into Taiwan’s airspace raises questions about their true purpose. The ministry has decided not to comment on what the latest balloons may have been used for, but it is clear that this is a violation of Taiwan’s sovereignty and poses a potential threat to its national security.
China’s defence ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment on the recent incidents. However, last week they declined to comment on the balloons. This silence from China further adds to the tense atmosphere in the region, as it suggests that China may not be willing to engage in dialogue or address Taiwan’s concerns about its constant incursions into its airspace.
The ministry’s daily report also detailed the locations of the three balloons. One was spotted near Hsinchu, a city that is home to a Taiwanese air force base. The other two were seen flying just north of the Penghu islands, which is also home to a major air base. These locations are significant as they show that China is not only asserting its presence in the sensitive Taiwan Strait but also specifically targeting areas that are important to Taiwan’s national defence.
This is not the first time that China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan. In fact, in recent years, Chinese fighter jets and warships have regularly operated in the strait. This has caused a great deal of concern for Taiwan’s security and has led to an increase in its defence spending. The continued presence of Chinese balloons flying over Taiwan’s airspace only adds to the already tense and volatile situation.
The Taiwanese government has called on China to respect its sovereignty and to stop interfering in its democracy. It has also urged the international community to pay attention to China’s actions and to support Taiwan in maintaining its autonomy and democracy. With tensions on the rise and the elections just weeks away, it is crucial for both countries to find a peaceful resolution to their disputes in order to avoid any further escalation of the situation.