Taiwan, the island nation disputed by China, has raised concerns over Chinese balloons entering its airspace, citing threats to aviation safety and psychological warfare attempts. In the midst of the Lunar New Year holiday, Taiwan's defense ministry reported an increase in activity, detecting eight Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait within 24 hours, with two breaching Taiwan's airspace.

According to Taiwan's defense ministry, the balloons were first spotted on Friday morning and continued into the evening. While two balloons traversed the northern part of Taiwan, others approached the coastline before disappearing. One balloon flew over the sea to the north of Taiwan, raising further alarms.

China's defense ministry remained silent on the issue during the holiday, despite previous dismissals of Taiwan's complaints, attributing the balloons to meteorological purposes rather than political motives.

Incursions by Chinese warplanes into the Taiwan Strait occur frequently, with many crossing the unofficial median line that once served as a boundary between the two sides, a line China refuses to recognize.

Taiwan recently elected Vice President Lai Ching-te as its next president, a move criticized by China due to Lai's stance on separatism. Lai, who assumes office in May, has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with China, an offer that has been rebuffed. He maintains that Taiwan's future should be determined by its people alone.

The use of balloons for potential spying has gained international attention, especially after the United States claimed to have shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon last February, an incident China attributed to accidental drift of a civilian craft.

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