IED event in China on Sat 27th January 2024

Taiwan's defense ministry has announced the detection of six additional Chinese balloons flying over the Taiwan Strait, with one of them crossing the island.This recent incident is part of a series of balloon sightings over the past month-and-a-half.In a statement earlier in January, Taiwan's defense ministry strongly criticized China for jeopardizing aviation safety and conducting psychological warfare by deploying these balloons, particularly in the lead-up to Taiwan's January 13 elections. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, did not immediately respond to the allegations.The potential use of balloons for spying gained global attention in February when the United States shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon, contending it had drifted off course. China maintained that it was a civilian craft.In the most recent incident reported by Taiwan's defense ministry, six balloons crossed the sensitive median line in the strait over the weekend. However, only one balloon managed to cross Taiwan's southern tip, while the others remained north of the island without flying over its land. All the balloons headed east before disappearing.The median line in the Taiwan Strait, although unofficial, used to serve as a de facto boundary between Taiwan and China. However, Chinese fighter jets, drones, and now balloons have been routinely crossing it. China officially does not recognize the existence of this median line.