Taiwan Says It Spotted Chinese Surveillance Balloon Crossing Median Line

Taiwan’s military also spotted 26 Chinese fighter jets and 10 naval vessels around the island.

Taiwanese flags at the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan, on Dec. 26, 2022. Ann Wang/Reuters

A Chinese military surveillance balloon was spotted crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Friday, according to the Taiwanese defense ministry, amid growing military threats from communist China.

The ministry said it detected the balloon at around 11:52 a.m. local time, traveling southwest of Keelung at an altitude of 21,000 feet. It was observed heading east before disappearing around 12:55 a.m. local time.