China launched four “reconnaissance balloons” over Taiwan on Tuesday, three of them hovering near major air bases, the country's defense ministry said.
Three balloons passed by Cheongchuangang Air Base. The air base is home to a number of tactical fighter wings that Taiwan uses to protect the island from Chinese military threats. The fourth ship was floating north of Keelung, a major trading port with Japan.
China may have sent the intelligence gathering equipment as the communist state threatens to invade and annex the autonomous republic and ahead of presidential elections on the island.
Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on January 13, and China is trying to influence voters to elect pro-unification politicians through military, diplomatic and economic pressure.
Opinion polls show that Taiwanese want to maintain independence from mainland China, and the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party is expected to win.
China's People's Liberation Army has a fleet of so-called reconnaissance balloons equipped with technology designed to collect sensitive information from other countries.
Last February, U.S. authorities shot down a giant Chinese balloon believed to be spying on military operations in North America.
The massive aerial surveillance program targets more than 40 countries, according to the Biden administration.
with post wire
