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Taiwan Tracks Chinese Military Sorties, Balloon Amid Rising Tensions

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported detecting four PLA aircraft sorties, five naval vessels, and one balloon operating around its territory. This follows similar incursions the previous day, including a Chinese surveillance drone that entered airspace near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. The drone withdrew after repeated warnings, with Taiwan condemning the action as reckless and provocative. China maintains that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory and pursues a policy of peaceful reunification.

Key Points: Taiwan Detects Chinese Aircraft, Vessels, and Balloon

  • PLA aircraft sorties detected
  • PLAN vessels operating near Taiwan
  • Surveillance balloon tracked
  • Drone incursion near Pratas Islands
  • Taiwan warns of regional destabilization
2 min read

Taiwan detects four PLA aircraft sorties, five PLAN vessels, one balloon around its territory

Taiwan's defense ministry reports PLA aircraft, naval vessels, and a balloon near its territory, highlighting ongoing regional tensions.

"We have monitored the situation and responded. - Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense"

Taipei, January 28

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday said that it detected four sorties by China's People's Liberation Army aircraft and five People's Liberation Army Navy vessels operating around its territory up to 6 am.

It added that one balloon was also detected during the timeframe.

In a post on X, the MND said, "4 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 balloon was detected during this timeframe. We have monitored the situation and responded."

Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan's MND said that it detected two PLA aircraft sorties and five PLAN vessels operating around its territory.

"2 PLA aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. We have monitored the situation and responded," MND said in its post.

Meanwhile, an incursion by a Chinese military drone near Taiwan-controlled islands has raised renewed concerns over China's expanding pressure campaign in the South China Sea, with Taiwan warning that such actions threaten regional peace and stability.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, a Chinese surveillance drone entered the southwestern section of Taiwan's air defence identification zone in the early hours of the morning and moved toward the Pratas Islands, also known as Dongsha, as reported by The Taipei Times.

According to The Taipei Times, the ministry said the aircraft approached the islands shortly before dawn and briefly entered territorial airspace at an altitude beyond the effective reach of local air-defence systems.

The garrison stationed on the islands was immediately instructed to raise alert levels and intensify aerial monitoring.

After repeated warnings broadcast through international radio frequencies, the drone withdrew several minutes later. The ministry condemned the manoeuvre as reckless and provocative, stating that it violated international norms and further destabilised the region.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Taiwan is an integral and indivisible part of China, which has been separated from the mainland since 1949.

Under its "one country, two systems", achieving China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all Chinese people, both within the country and abroad. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government regard the fulfilment of this goal of peaceful reunification as a historic mission and have been working persistently toward it.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
From an Indian perspective, we know all too well how border tensions feel. This situation is a reminder of how important diplomacy and clear communication channels are. No one wants an accidental escalation.
V
Vikram M
Balloons now? Seriously? This feels like a calculated show of force, testing responses. Taiwan's restraint in just monitoring and warning is notable. Hope cooler heads prevail.
R
Rohit P
The article mentions the "one country, two systems" principle. As an Indian, I have reservations about this model based on what's happened elsewhere. The people of Taiwan's voice matters most in any resolution.
P
Priya S
It's a delicate situation. While national sovereignty is paramount for any country, the methods used here seem aggressive. Sending drones and balloons is provocative, not peaceful. Dialogue is the only way forward.
M
Michael C
Living in India, we see how regional stability affects global trade and economics. The South China Sea is a crucial waterway. These actions, even if symbolic, have real-world consequences for many nations, including ours.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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