Chinese Balloons Pose Growing Threat to Taiwan

Taiwan has accused China of using high-altitude balloons for psychological warfare and posing a threat to international aviation safety by flying over and around Taiwan, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense has reported a surge in Chinese balloon activity, with concerns that they could be used for espionage activities, including gathering intelligence on Taiwan's airbases. Tensions between the two countries are already strained, with Taiwan viewing the balloon flights as part of China's "gray zone" tactics. The spike in balloon activity is seen as a potential attempt by China to interfere in Taiwan's politics, with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) being a particular target due to its anti-PRC stance. The United States has expressed support for Taiwan's democratic institutions and raised concerns about potential interference in the upcoming elections.