The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense announced that it had detected a Chinese balloon on the evening of Sunday 24th above its air defense zone.
This is the first identified since April. A Chinese balloon flew over northwest Taiwan on Sunday evening (24), in its air defense identification zone. Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the island, regularly flies fighter planes, drones and warships. Occasionally, China sends spy balloons, used by its intelligence services. A way for the country to maintain pressure on Taiwan.
The balloon was spotted at 6:21 p.m. local time on Sunday, November 24, approximately 111 kilometers northwest of the island, at an altitude of 10,058 meters. This was stated by the Ministry of Defense, which publishes daily data on China's military presence around Taiwan. The balloon left the air defense identification zone at 8:15 p.m. In addition to this intelligence tool, 12 fighter jets and seven warships were detected around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday .
“Grey Area” Harassment
During the presidential campaign leading up to Lai Ching-te's election as Taiwan's president in January, balloons crossed the waters between Taiwan and China day and night, and some flew over the island. However, no balloon had been detected since April. Taiwan considers this practice as a form of so-called “gray zone” harassment, that is to say hostile but not open warfare.
China has in the past denied sending balloons over the island, accusing Taiwan of trying to escalate tensions with the mainland. Questioned about this balloon by journalists, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared: “First of all, Taiwan does not have a Ministry of Defense. Furthermore, the question you are asking me has nothing to do with diplomacy.” Chinese balloons became a political topic in early 2023 when the United States shot down what it called a spy balloon.
