May 06, 2025 03:21 pm (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Modi, Albanese eye to advance India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during telephone conversation | Hold dialogue with all political parties on caste census: Mallikarjun Kharge writes to PM Modi | PM Modi meets NSA Ajit Doval amid India's wait for retaliation against Pahalgam terror attack | Pakistan grilled at UNSC amid rising tension with India after Pahalgam terror attack | 'We'll do everything we can': US House Speaker backs India in fight against terrorism after Pahalgam attack | Centre asks several states to conduct security mock drills amid tensions with Pakistan, first since 1971 | PM Modi holds meeting with Defence Secy as India plans retaliation against Pahalgam attack | Terror hideout busted in Kashmir's Poonch amid India-Pak border tensions after Pahalgam attack | India snaps water flow to Pakistan from Baglihar dam on Chenab river in Pahalgam fallout | Trump imposes 100 percent tariff on non-US films, says 'Hollywood dying a very fast death'
Taiwan
Taiwan detects six Chinese balloons around its territory. Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Taiwan detects Chinese balloons around its territory

| @indiablooms | Feb 09, 2025, at 11:29 pm

Taiwan's Defence Ministry has said it detected six Chinese balloons close to its territory recently.

In an X post, the Ministry on Friday said: "9 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ. 6 PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe."

According to reports, this is one of the highest tally of the device registered by Taiwan.

The balloons were spotted at an altitude of 16,000 feet to 20,000 feet, and one of them directly flew over the island, according to an illustration released by the defence ministry, reported Citizen Tribune.

Speaking on the latest detection of Chinese vessels and planes, the Ministry said: " 14 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."

Chinese balloons became an issue of diplomatic tussle with the USA after America claimed to have detected spotting it within its territory.

America shot down one of them in 2023 and described it as a 'spy' balloon.

What is the basis of China’s claim over Taiwan?

The basis of China’s claim over Taiwan dates back to 1945 when Japan lost its control over the island in 1945,post-World War Two.

The 1949 Chinese civil war lead to communists taking control and Chiang Kai-shek the one who lost fled to Taiwan. He ruled it for many decades.

This is where China’s claim to Taiwan emanates. The very fact that Chiang Kai-shek came to Taiwan and was not indigenous to the place is Taiwan’s argument against the claim.

The question is why is Taiwan important to China?

“A lot of things actually, which of course are related to Taiwan but not necessarily direct to Taiwan. It's more about (China's) relationship changing with United States – or we should say Western Countries, mainly United States and China. Taiwan then happens to become key player and main actor in this dynamics,” said Alice.

100 miles from the coast of China, Taiwan is an island, that is located in the “first island chain,” this positioning makes it crucial to the US foreign policy.

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Close menu