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Taiwan records approach of 10 Chinese warplanes in past day

In addition, five balloons flying at altitudes of 5,000 to 8,000 meters were spotted near Taiwan

HONG KONG, January 12. /TASS/. The Taiwanese military registered the approach of 10 aircraft of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and six warships of the PLA Navy near the island in the past day, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said in a statement on its website.

According to it, two of the aircraft, a Su-30 fighter and a Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, crossed the so-called median line of the Taiwan Strait over the past 24 hours.

In addition, five balloons flying at altitudes of 5,000 to 8,000 meters were spotted near Taiwan. One of the balloons flew from west to east over the island’s south toward the Pacific Ocean.

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War. Beijing regards the island as one of its provinces. Taiwanese voters will choose their next president and legislature on January 13.

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