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
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

Taiwan detects 8 Chinese balloons over island, highest since December

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 10 Feb 2024 10:47
2 Min Read

At an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) to 38,000 feet, the balloons are at a record of the highest detected since the Ministry began releasing data on balloon sightings back in December.

  • x
  • People walk under dragon balloons decorated on a building for the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations at the Dihua street market in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP)
    People walk under dragon balloons decorated on a building for the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations at the Dihua Street Market in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP)

Eight Chinese balloons have been detected around the island, with two directly over the island, just a day before the Lunar New Year holiday, Taiwan's Defense Ministry announced on Saturday.

At an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) to 38,000 feet, the balloons are at a record of the highest number detected since the Ministry began releasing data on balloon sightings back in December.

The latest balloon sightings came after Taiwan’s presidential election last month and after Beijing slammed frontrunner Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the current Vice President, as a dangerous "separatist" in the days leading up to the poll, calling on voters to make "the correct choice" if they want to avoid military conflict.

China claims Taiwan as its own and says it will not rule out using force to bring about "unification". Chinese President Xi Jinping in a recent New Year's address said the "unification" of Taiwan with China was "inevitable".

Related News

China warns Philippines against provocations in South China Sea

China condemns passage of US, British warships through Taiwan Strait

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

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

Read next: Taiwan reunification is inevitable: China's Xi

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

In 2022, US President Joe Biden committed to defending Taiwan in the event of an unprecedented attack while claiming that the US does not advocate for the island's independence.

  • Taiwan
  • Chinese Lunar New Year event
  • Balloons
  • China
  • Xi Jinping
  • William Lai

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

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