Several China Spy Balloons Spotted In Taiwan Over Two Years, Could Be Weaponized With Bombs

Several sightings of suspected Chinese surveillance balloons were recorded in the self-governing island of Taiwan over the past few years, with some experts warning that it could be weaponized to target China's adversaries.

Su Tzu-yun, the director of Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told CNN that at least four balloons similar to the suspected Chinese spy balloon spotted over U.S. airspace were observed in Taiwan in the past two years.

Su said the island's small size makes it difficult for Taiwan to intercept or shoot down the suspected spy balloons quickly.

CNN obtained video footage showing a high-altitude balloon hovering over Taiwan this New Year's Eve and a picture of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the island months earlier.

Taiwanese news outlet Taipei Times also reported that the same type of balloon was observed by the nation's Central Weather Bureau (CWB) over the Taiwanese capital of Taipei in September 2021. Another balloon was reportedly spotted by the public flying above the Taipei International Airport in March 2022.

Civilian weather balloons, which are typically 2 meters wide and made of rubber, usually hover close to the launch site and at a height of no more than 30 kilometers, according to CWB Director-General Cheng Ming-dean. But he said the Chinese balloons that traversed over Taiwan were likely constructed with different materials, citing their range and altitude.

Taiwanese experts are worried that China could weaponize its surveillance balloons by putting bombs in them and hovering them above potential targets, according to CNN.

In 2021, the People's Liberation Army Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military, published an article suggesting that balloons can be used as a "springboard" to launch attacks.

"In the future, balloon platforms may also be as frightening and hidden killers as submarines in the deep sea," according to the Chinese military newspaper.

The Chinese military noted that in the past, balloons were used in conflicts to counter enemy attacks. The Chinese newspaper cited the Yugoslav Army's use of a group of balloons to intercept U.S. cruise missile strikes during the Kosovo War.

On Saturday, a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the U.S. military off the coast of South Carolina after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America.

The incident sparked concerns in Taiwan, which China has increasingly threatened over the past several years.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned China, saying in a statement that the incident was "unacceptable to the community of civilized nations."

Johnny Chiang, a Taiwanese legislator, urged the nation's National Security Bureau and the Defense Ministry to prepare to respond to surveillance balloons that could be used against Taiwan.

But several officials assessed that the balloons are part of a larger Chinese surveillance program aimed at collecting intelligence about militaries across the world.

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there had been recorded sightings of the suspected Chinese surveillance balloons in countries across five continents in the past several years.

According to the New York Times, the U.S. had also observed suspected spy balloons hovering above the airspace of several allied countries in the Pacific region.