Beijing is silent: again suspicious balloons over Taiwan

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Shortly before the presidential and parliamentary elections, the Taiwanese military has again discovered several suspected Chinese balloons above its territory. One of them flew over the center of the East Asian island nation from the west on Wednesday, while the other two were discovered in the west and northwest above the sea, the Ministry of Defense announced in Taipei on Thursday.

Experts suspect that the balloons could be used to intimidate the population before the elections. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing initially did not respond to a question on Thursday morning (local time) about what the intention was with the balloons.

The incidents are reminiscent of the overflight of a Chinese balloon in the US last year. Washington accused Beijing of using it for espionage. However, China said the balloon had drifted and was being used to measure the weather. The US shot the plane out of the sky.

The recent discoveries about Taiwan may have something to do with the January 13 elections. “China deliberately used the favorable southwesterly wind to regularly release such non-motorized weather balloons and fly over Taiwan, intimidating the people of Taiwan before the election,” Su Tzu-yun of the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security investigation of the German. news agency.

Michelle Lin of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) also said the balloons were intended to intimidate the people of Taiwan.

Balloons can endanger aviation safety

Since Monday, Taiwan’s military has spotted nine balloons over its territory. Five of them flew over the island. Su said the balloons spotted over Taiwan were similar in size to weather balloons. The one in the US was bigger. However, Su said the balloons could endanger aviation safety at the altitude at which they fly.

China continues to intimidate Taiwan and its government. Beijing considers the island part of its national territory, citing its history, and wants reunification, if necessary by military means. The DPP, which is still in power, stands for independence.

The upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, in which 19.5 million people are expected to vote, will have a say in the future relationship between Taipei and Beijing. In addition to the DPP, China-friendly parties such as the Kuomintang are also active. (SDA)

Source: Blick