Taiwan Reports Chinese Balloon Entering Air Defense Zone

The sighting marks the first such incident since April, with Taipei calling it part of China's 'grey-zone' tactics.

Taiwan's defense ministry detected a Chinese balloon northwest of the island on Sunday, flying at 33,000 feet for two hours before disappearing.
The balloon entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone, alongside reports of 12 Chinese military aircraft and seven warships near the island in the past 24 hours.
Taipei has described these balloon activities as 'grey-zone' harassment, aimed at exerting pressure without direct military conflict.
China has dismissed Taiwan's concerns, claiming the balloons are for meteorological purposes and criticizing their portrayal as political maneuvers.
The incident comes as regional tensions rise, with the U.S. and its allies, including Japan and the Philippines, enhancing military preparedness in response to potential Taiwan contingencies.