Current:Home > BackTaiwan says Chinese balloons are harassment and a threat to air safety-LoTradeCoin
Taiwan says Chinese balloons are harassment and a threat to air safety
View Date:2024-12-23 21:54:35
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s Defense Ministry accused China on Saturday of harassment and trying to affect public morale by repeatedly sending balloons over the self-governing island.
A ministry analysis found that the paths of the balloons posed a serious threat to international passenger flights, according to a report by Taiwan’s official Military News Agency. The ministry called for an immediate end to the activity to ensure flight safety,
“The ministry urged the people (of Taiwan) to clearly understand the Chinese Communist Party’s cognitive combat methods and face it rationally and calmly so as to avoid being affected by it,” the report said.
The purpose of the balloons is unclear, and a Chinese state media outlet has accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party and Taiwanese and American media of hyping what it says are harmless weather balloons. The balloon incidents come ahead of a Jan. 13 presidential election in Taiwan in which the island’s relations with China are a major issue.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has reported several instances of Chinese balloons flying near or over the island in the past month. It said Saturday that two balloons had been detected over the Taiwan Strait on Friday, one 33 nautical miles and the other 51 nautical miles off the island’s northwest coast.
China views Taiwan, which is about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off China’s east coast, as a renegade province that must come under its control. Chinese leader Xi Jinping said in an annual New Year’s address this week that Taiwan would “surely be reunified” with China in the future.
veryGood! (857)
Related
- Does your dog have arthritis? A lot of them do. But treatment can be tricky
- Maya Moore-Irons credits great teams during Women's Basketball Hall of Fame induction
- Horoscopes Today, April 27, 2024
- Taylor Swift sings about giving away her 'youth for free' on new album. Many know her pain.
- Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
- Tractor-trailers with no one aboard? The future is near for self-driving trucks on US roads
- How Dance Moms' Chloé Lukasiak Really Felt Being Pitted Against Maddie Ziegler
- House and Senate negotiate bill to help FAA add more air traffic controllers and safety inspectors
- Who will save Florida athletics? Gators need fixing, and it doesn't stop at Billy Napier
- With the 2024 NFL draft in the rearview mirror, these 6 teams have big needs to address
Ranking
- Horoscopes Today, November 10, 2024
- Oregon authorities to reveal winner of $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot
- Columbia protest faces 2 p.m. deadline; faculty members 'stand' with students: Live updates
- Texans WR Tank Dell shot in Florida, sustains minor wound, team says
- Sister Wives’ Christine Brown Shares Glimpse Into Honeymoon One Year After Marrying David Woolley
- Interstate near Arizona-New Mexico line reopens after train derailment as lingering fuel burns off
- Stock market today: Asian shares rise, cheered by last week’s tech rally on Wall Street
- Florida sheriff says deputies killed a gunman in shootout that wounded 2 officers
Recommendation
-
Darren Criss on why playing a robot in 'Maybe Happy Ending' makes him want to cry
-
Russia attacks Ukrainian energy sector as Kyiv launches drones at southern Russia
-
Thunder's Mark Daigneault wins NBA Coach of the Year after leading OKC to top seed in West
-
Clayton MacRae: Future Outlook on Global Economy 2024
-
NY forest ranger dies fighting fires as air quality warnings are issued in New York and New Jersey
-
Republicans seeking Georgia congressional seat debate limits on abortion and immigration
-
Looking back: Mage won 2023 Kentucky Derby on day marred by death of two horses
-
'American Idol' recap: Shania Twain helps Abi Carter set a high bar; two singers go home