Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks

Taiwan claims another eight Chinese balloons detected around island

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Feb 2024 09:33
2 Min Read

Five out of eight balloons have directly flown over Taiwan with one grazing the northern tip of the Island.

  • x
  • Chinese dragon dancers perform at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024(AP)
    Chinese dragon dancers perform at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 (AP)

For the second day in a row, eight Chinese balloons were detected around Taiwan, five of which flew directly over the island, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense revealed today.

It added that the balloons were initially seen on Saturday, the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, at a 12,000 to 35,000 feet altitude further releasing a map showing that five of the balloons flew directly over Taiwan with one grazing the northern tip. 

On Friday, a group of eight balloons was also detected, the highest record since the Ministry began announcing numbers in December.

The latest balloon sightings took place after Taiwan’s presidential election last month which was won by  Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), whom Beijing labeled as a dangerous "separatist" in the days leading up to the elections, urging on voters to make "the correct choice" if they want to avoid military conflict.

Related News

Amnesty: US strike on Yemen prison may constitute war crime

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

Before the results, China stated that Lai's win would bring “war and decline” to Taiwan.

In February last year, Taiwan's military warned aviation authorities after discovering a balloon floating in its airspace without revealing where the balloon came from or providing a detailed location.

In recent months, since the West began to further stir up geopolitical tension in the region, China has headed toward a more defensive stance by building artificial islands and deploying coast guard and maritime patrols.

China has long condemned any US engagement with Taipei as interference in its internal affairs especially the US providing weapons to Taiwan. President Xi Jinping has expressed China's aim for peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but the possibility of using force remains.

The situation around Taiwan escalated following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei last year; China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any direct official foreign contact with the island.

Pelosi's visit led China to announce ending cooperation with the United States on a number of issues such as climate change, anti-drug efforts, and military talks.

  • United States
  • Chinese balloon
  • Taiwan
  • China

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS