Taiwan slams aviation safety ‘threat’ from China balloons

On Saturday, Taiwan's defence ministry blasted Beijing for flying balloons across the median line that separates the self-ruled island from China, saying they pose a "serious threat" to aviation routes and are a form of harassment. China claims Taiwan as part of its sovereignty and has increased military and political pressure on the island in recent years, sending in an unprecedented number of fighter planes and navy vessels near the island. Taipei's defence ministry began reported the arrival of Chinese balloons near Taiwan in December, citing at least four cases in which they sailed straight above the island. "Based on…