Taiwan on High Alert as China Flies Balloon Near Border

China's Balloon Incursion Sparks Tensions with Taiwan

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out military...

Taiwan detects unprecedented Chinese balloon activity, raising fears of a potential conflict between Taiwan and China.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported a Chinese balloon sighting over the sea northwest of the island on Monday, marking the first incident of its kind since April. The balloon was spotted at 6:21 p.m. local time on Sunday, approximately 111 kilometers north of Keelung port.

In addition to the balloon, Taiwan's Defense Ministry also reported the presence of 12 Chinese military aircraft and seven warships in the vicinity of the island within the past 24 hours. The balloon flew at an altitude of 33,000 feet for about two hours before disappearing.

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out military action to regain control of the island. This incident is likely to exacerbate tensions between Taiwan and China, which have been ongoing for years.

The complex issue of Taiwan's sovereignty is a result of the Chinese civil war, which was won by the Chinese Communist Party. Both China and Taiwan claim sovereignty over the whole of China, but the number of countries recognizing Taiwan's claim is dwindling.

Despite this, the US continues to provide military support to Taiwan, which has raised concerns about a potential conflict between China and the US. China has been conducting military exercises and war games around Taiwan, showcasing its military capabilities.

China's “grey-zone tactics” against Taiwan involve using military and security operations to pressure Taiwan without triggering a full-scale conflict. These tactics include flying crewed aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone, using uncrewed aerial vehicles, and conducting large-scale military exercises.

In the lead-up to Taiwan's January presidential election, Taipei reported an “unprecedented scale” of Chinese balloon activity. China's military exercises and grey-zone tactics have raised concerns about the potential for conflict in the region.

Taiwan views the balloons as a form of “grey-zone” harassment, a tactic that stops short of being an act of war but still exerts pressure. This type of harassment is part of China's broader strategy to exert influence over Taiwan.

China has dismissed Taiwan's concerns about the balloons, claiming they serve meteorological purposes and should not be exaggerated for political gain. However, the incident has sparked global concern, particularly in light of a similar event in 2023.

In 2023, the United States shot down a Chinese balloon, claiming it was a surveillance device. China countered that the balloon was a civilian airship blown off course. The incident highlighted the potential for China to use balloons for espionage purposes, fueling international unease.