More Chinese weather balloons are appearing acorss the Taiwan Strait as the country's presidential and parliamentary election nears. Previously, a reported spy balloon from Beijing was also seen over the region.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry claimed that the surveillance balloon was spotted along with a large-scale movement of military aircraft and ships. However, they were unsure if the alleged spy aircraft was specifically operated by the PLA (People's Liberation Army). Now, two more Chinese balloons were spotted over the north of Taiwan, as claimed by the island's defense ministry on Monday, Dec. 18.
More Chinese Weather Balloons Appear Across the Taiwan Strait
Two white balloons float near the Chinese flag as activist Rev. Patrick Mahoney protests against the Chinese government over the alleged Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down over the US last week, during a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC.
According to Yahoo News' latest report, the Taiwan Defense Ministry said that two suspected Chinese weather balloons were seen flying across sensitive areas of the Taiwan Strait.
But, these surveillance aircraft stayed well to the north of the island. Officials said that this is the second time that Taipei spotted Chinese weather balloons in December.
The first one happened on Dec. 7; the recent Chinese spy balloon allegedly continued flying east before disappearing into the Pacific Ocean.
The Straits Times reported that the two surveillance balloons of China flew at an altitude of around 3,230 meters. Defense ministry officials said that these aircraft headed east and disappeared; the first one disappeared at 9:36 a.m. and the second one at 4:35 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18.
Based on the first judgment of the Taiwan Defense Ministry, these balloons are used for weather surveillance, as claimed by defense ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang.
China Allegedly Planning to Interfere in Taiwan's Presidential Election
Supporters wave Taiwanese flags during a campaign rally ahead of Saturday's presidential election, on January 9, 2020 in Taipei, Taiwan. Taiwan will go to the polls on Saturday after a campaign in which fake news and the looming shadow of China and its repeated threats of invasion have played a prominent role.
Recently, a Taiwanese senior security official claimed that China is planning to interfere in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary election on January 13, 2024.
The official, who requested anonymity, claimed that Wang Hunigng, the top official handling Taiwan's affairs, urged the Chinese Communist Party to ramp up its efforts to influence the upcoming election on the island.
The anonymous senior security authority added that Huning also urged CCP officials to ensure that no evidence of such interference can be found by external parties.
As of writing, it is unclear if the latest Chinese surveillance balloons are part of the alleged presidential election interference plan of China against Taiwan. But, the island's officials promised that they are doing their best to prevent CCP.
Related Article: Chinese Spy Balloon Appears in Taiwan Strait, Defense Ministry Claims-Is China Trying To Disturb Presidential Election?
