Taiwan's Ministry of Defense has reported the discovery of a Chinese balloon in the north of the island, the first such incident since April this year. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
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Taiwan considers such actions to be part of a campaign that includes the use of irregular tactics aimed at putting pressure on China.
The incident occurred on Sunday, when the balloon was spotted at a distance of about 111 km north of Taiwan's Keelung port. The balloon flew at an altitude of 10,000 meters and disappeared two hours later. According to the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense, the balloon did not cross the island.
Taiwan considers such cases to be part of Beijing's broader strategy to put pressure on the island, especially in the run-up to the presidential election in January.
The island, which China considers its territory, strongly objects to these claims and insists that only its inhabitants have the right to decide their future.
China has previously rejected Taiwan's accusations against its balloons, saying they are for meteorological purposes and should not be a subject of political dispute. However, the use of Chinese balloons for espionage gained international publicity after the United States shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon last year, although China claimed it was a civilian vessel that had accidentally veered off course.
Taiwan reports that 8 Chinese balloons crossed the Taiwan Strait11.02.24, 04:39 • [views_35093]