CHINA has sent dozens of spy balloons over Taiwan, sparking fears the global superpower is ramping up its plans to invade its neighbour.
Since February 2022, Taiwanese officials claim Chinese military balloon flights have intruded their airspace "very frequently".
The chilling intelligence comes just days after the US ordered its air force to shoot down a Chinese spy balloon over its waters in South Carolina.
China has since denied any wrongdoing and claimed it was for "weather research".
However, the Pentagon claimed it "violated US airspace and international law", which also triggered investigations from its allies.
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But the recent influx of balloon flights has officials in Taipei most worried.
According to a Financial Times report, senior officials said Chinese military surveillance balloons have been entering Taiwan's airspace "very frequently".
The most recent incursion took place "a few weeks ago", with balloon sightings occurring on average "once a month."
The revelation of the flights over Taiwan provide new insight into China’s extensive military balloon programme.
The disclosures also run alongside the People’s Liberation Army strengthening its capacities to invade its neighbour.
Beijing has threatened to annex the island using military force in the past.
One top US general warned that the US and China could enter a bloody war by 2025 if Taiwan was blitzed.
Taiwanese officials believe the Chinese-made balloons fly at about 20,000 feet and their dimensions exceed those of weather balloons.
Military experts claimed the balloons were devised by China's Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission, the report said.
It further cited a Taiwanese official, who said the balloons were launched by the People's Liberation Army Air Force, while others are dispatched by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force.
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The balloons are believed to be measuring atmospheric data to improve the accuracy of radar and missile systems, the report said.
Such atmospheric measurements need to be constantly updated to take into account seasonal and yearly changes.
The MND has not responded to these claims.
Other countries in the Asia-pacific region including Japan and the Philippines have observed balloon incursions into their airspace.
The balloon saga comes amid boiling tensions between the US and China.
Mike Minihan, Chief of the US Air Force's Air Mobility Command, was blunt in his thoughts on the tensions between the two countries, in a leaked memo.
He said: “My gut tells me we will fight in 2025."
Former chief of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Philip Davidson, cited the threats against Taiwan as a possible trigger for war.
Last year, the admiral said: "I think the threat is manifest during this decade, in fact, in the next six years."
The US has continuously sided with Taiwan as they face increasing military aggression from China.
The visit of US politician Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in 2022 prompted a furious response from Beijing, with Chinese warships and fighter jets surrounding the island in massive military exercises.
