China's Weather Balloons Trigger Panic In Taiwan; Beijing Media Says 'Suspicious' Mindset

Taiwanese authorities have clarified that the suspicious Chinese balloons spotted inside the island's territory last week were used for meteorological observations and posed no threat. The sighting of the balloons had triggered panic in the island, amid speculations that China might launch an invasion anytime soon.

Local Taiwanese media reported that the balloons were spotted flying in four groups, at an altitude of 2,743-3,048 meters (9,000-10,000 feet) above the cities of Keelung, Taoyuan and Hsinchu, reported Taipei Times.

The air force has a full understanding of the [balloons’] movements. It is believed they were being used for meteorological observations," Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesman Major General Shih Shun-wen said.

Shih's response came after local media reports began to do rounds that an unspecified number of weather balloons in four groups were released from China’s Fujian Province by a long-range rocket unit of an artillery brigade from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The balloons passed over shortly after the Lunar New Year holiday.

Analysts too pitched in after the sightings triggered panic on the island. "Even if the balloons were being used for military purposes, they were likely analyzing atmospheric density for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command and pose no immediate security threat," Institute for National Defense and Security Research analyst Su Tzu-yun told Taipei Times.

According to Lu Lishi, a former instructor in the Military Discipline Department of Taiwan’s Naval Academy, while the balloons could indeed be for weather research, their true purpose is to help China develop software called Advanced Refractive Effects Prediction System.

The reports on the "suspicious" balloons triggered a backlash in China too. A report by the Chinese state-backed Global Times, quoting analysts, said the "hype" by the Taiwan media and the response from the Taiwan military show that they are "suspicious about and frightened by everything related to the Chinese mainland."

Meanwhile, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry also released a video assuring the public of its strengthened capabilities and preparedness to deter China if Beijing decides to take advantage of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. “The military has continued to step up surveillance, remains alert 24/7, and is closely observing military activities across the Taiwan Strait. We are determined and capable of defending the country,” the MND said.

Last week, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen cautioned authorities and the military after reports said China may take launch an invasion, now that the U.S. and the world are focused more on Ukraine.