The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense condemned Beijing on Saturday January 6 for sending balloons above the median line which separates the autonomous island from mainland China. A shipment that he described as a “ serious threat » for air connections and a form of harassment.
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It was in December 2023 that the Taipei Defense Ministry began reporting the appearance of Chinese balloons around Taiwan, noting at least four incidents in which they flew directly over the island. “ Due to their recent trajectory(the balls) pose a serious threat to the security of many international air routes “, declared the Ministry of Defense, in a press release condemning the “ China’s disregard for aviation safety “. The ministry also published, this Saturday, January 6, an illustration showing two Chinese balloons which, according to it, had crossed the median line the day before, including one directly above the island.
“Gray zone” harassment
” (THE) main objective of the recent balloon detection is harassment of (kind) “gray zone” with the aim of using cognitive warfare to affect the morale of our people », Adds the press release which accompanied this illustration. “Grey zone” tactics refer to aggressive actions taken by a state that refrains from open warfare. Many experts believe that this is what China is doing to Taiwan with its almost daily display of military force around the island.
“ We call for an immediate end to this practice to ensure flight safety in the region “, declared the ministry. This declaration comes a week before the presidential election in Taiwan, decisive for the future of the island’s relations with Beijing depending on the choice of voters. Since the election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, China has broken off all high-level communication with her government because it does not recognize Beijing’s sovereignty over the island.
Use of force
China, which considers Taiwan to be an integral part of its territory, has vowed to one day bring the island back into its fold, using force if necessary. Beijing has stepped up its military and political pressure in recent years by sending unprecedented numbers of fighter jets and warships around the island.
(With AFP)
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