Chinese Balloons Sighted Over Taiwan Ahead of Election

Experts interpret the increase in balloon sightings as a potential intimidation tactic by Beijing, as Taiwan's presidential election approaches.

Chinese balloons have been sighted over Taiwan, with some coming close to military bases, raising concerns of potential surveillance or intimidation tactics.
The balloons do not pose an immediate military threat and are believed to be for collecting atmospheric data, according to Taiwan's defense ministry.
The sightings have increased in frequency ahead of Taiwan's presidential election on January 13, leading some experts to interpret them as a form of intimidation.
Beijing has not confirmed or denied the balloon flights, but has previously expressed its desire for Taiwan's governing Democratic Progressive Party to lose power in the upcoming election.
Taiwan's defense ministry has been closely monitoring the balloons and analyzing their drift patterns.