For Taiwan, this practice of sending Chinese balloons is seen as a form of so-called “gray zone” harassment. In other words, it is hostile, but does not constitute open warfare.
Recurring pressure from Beijing on Taiwan
A Chinese balloon was spotted on Sunday in the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) of Taiwan. This is the first such incident since April. According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, the object was detected at 6:21 p.m. 111 kilometers northwest of the island at an altitude of 33,000 feet (10,058 m) before leaving the area at 8:15 p.m. This incident is part of a broader strategy of the Chine aimed at maintaining constant military pressure on Taiwan, a territory it claims as its own. Activities around the island include regular incursions by fighter jets, drones, warships and, more rarely, balloons. Between Sunday and Monday, 12 Chinese fighter jets and 7 ships were also reported in the vicinity of Taiwan, reports Le Figaro.
A gray zone harassment tool
Taiwan views balloons as a form of gray zone harassment: a hostile tactic intended to intimidate without provoking open conflict. This practice was particularly notable at the start of 2023, in parallel with the Taiwanese presidential election, but no balloons had been reported for several months. Questioned about this incident, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, downplayed the event by refuting the existence of a “Taiwanese Ministry of Defense” and calling the issue diplomatically irrelevant.
China’s response
Beijing continues to deny sending balloons over Taiwanclaiming that Taipei is exaggerating tensions to fuel political discourse. However, the military activities of the Chine around the island continue to raise international concerns. This type of incident became a sensitive subject after the United States shot down a Chinese balloon described as a spy at the start of 2023. This event had intensified tensions between Washington and Beijing. China maintains that it was a civil aircraft that deviated from its trajectory.
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