DEFENSE/Chinese balloon detected flying over Taiwan Strait median line: MND

Taipei, Dec. 20 (CNA) A Chinese balloon was detected flying across the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait late Tuesday night before continuing eastward and disappearing early Wednesday, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a statement.

The MND said the balloon, which it described as a surveillance balloon, was first detected at 11:19 p.m. Tuesday flying around 63 nautical miles (116.68 kilometers) northwest of Keelung as it crossed the median line at an approximate altitude of 12,000 feet.

It then traveled eastward north of Taiwan for nearly three hours before disappearing at 2:05 a.m. Wednesday, the ministry said.

The median line serves as an unofficial barrier between Taiwan and China.

Meanwhile, the MND said China also sent eight military aircraft and three ships in the general vicinity of Taiwan between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday, though only one of the aircraft flew into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

According to the MND, it took its usual precautions to track and monitor the movements of the aircraft and ships.