China says balloons that have angered Taiwan are 'nothing new' | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
June 02, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, JUNE 02, 2025
China says balloons that have angered Taiwan are 'nothing new'

China

Reuters
31 January, 2024, 11:00 am
Last modified: 31 January, 2024, 11:11 am

Related News

  • Bangladesh can be a first choice for our investment: Chinese business leaders 
  • China to cooperate with Bangladesh on agriculture, research, visiting minister tells CA
  • Chinese investment can be game changer for Bangladesh economy: CA
  • CA Yunus for China-backed boost for jute in economy
  • CA Yunus urges Chinese investors to help build a sky-high future

China says balloons that have angered Taiwan are 'nothing new'

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained since last month about the balloons, which have flown over the sensitive Taiwan Strait. Some of the balloons crossed over the island itself before vanishing

Reuters
31 January, 2024, 11:00 am
Last modified: 31 January, 2024, 11:11 am
Chinese and Taiwanese flags are seen in this illustration, 6 August, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Chinese and Taiwanese flags are seen in this illustration, 6 August, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

China's government on Wednesday dismissed repeated complaints by Taiwan about Chinese balloons flying over or near the island, saying they are for meteorological purposes and should not be hyped up for political reasons.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained since last month about the balloons, which have flown over the sensitive Taiwan Strait. Some of the balloons crossed over the island itself before vanishing.

China's defence ministry has so far declined to comment on the balloons.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

But speaking at a regular news briefing in Beijing, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, gave the longest official response yet to Taiwan's balloon complaints given "Taiwan compatriots have doubts".

Most balloons are launched by private companies and hundreds of thousands like them fly around the world every day, he said, adding that they were "not the kind of balloons that are hung for weddings and at shopping malls".

"The floating balloons are mostly used for people's livelihood purposes such as meteorological monitoring. They have a long history and are nothing new," Chen said.

"The Democratic Progressive Party authorities are advised not to politically hype up such issues and incite cross-strait antagonism and confrontation," he added, referring to Taiwan's ruling party.

The potential for China to use balloons for spying became a global issue last February when the United States shot down what it said was a Chinese surveillance balloon. China said the balloon was a civilian craft that accidentally drifted astray.

Earlier this month, Taiwan's government accused China of threatening aviation safety and waging psychological warfare on its people with the balloons, which were launched days before Taiwan's 13 January elections.

Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.

Top News / World+Biz

China / Taiwan / Weather balloon / Taiwan China

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Bangladesh can be a first choice for our investment: Chinese business leaders 
    Bangladesh can be a first choice for our investment: Chinese business leaders 
  • Atik Morshed. Photo: Collected
    ACC finds irregularities in Nagad; Atik Morshed, his wife may be questioned
  • Representational image. Photo: Reuters
    Remittance hits second-highest monthly record of $2.97b in May ahead of Eid

MOST VIEWED

  • Govt slashes June prices for diesel, petrol, octane
    Govt slashes June prices for diesel, petrol, octane
  • Photo: Courtesy
    IFIC Bank incurs Tk500cr loss in Jan-Mar
  • Infographic: TBS
    Govt targets Dec opening of Dhaka airport's 3rd terminal but Japanese consortium wants 2 more months
  • Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu. Photo: Collected
    Mahmud-led Forum panel wins BGMEA election
  • Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan shares insights on how Operation Sindoor represents future wars at Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, 31 May 2025. Photo: ANI via Hindustan Times
    India confirms losing fighter jets in recent conflict with Pakistan: Bloomberg
  • Illustration: TBS
    Tax-free income ceiling to be raised, slabs restructured

Related News

  • Bangladesh can be a first choice for our investment: Chinese business leaders 
  • China to cooperate with Bangladesh on agriculture, research, visiting minister tells CA
  • Chinese investment can be game changer for Bangladesh economy: CA
  • CA Yunus for China-backed boost for jute in economy
  • CA Yunus urges Chinese investors to help build a sky-high future

Features

Photo: Collected

Slice, store, sizzle: Kitchen must-haves for Eid-ul-Adha 2025

15h | Brands
The wide fenders, iconic hood scoop and unmistakable spoiler are not just cosmetic; they symbolise a machine built to grip dirt, asphalt and hearts alike. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Resurrecting the Hawkeye: A Subaru WRX STI rebuild

21h | Wheels
Babar Ali, Ikramul Hasan Shakil, and Wasfia Nazreen are leading a bold resurgence in Bangladeshi mountaineering, scaling eight-thousanders like Everest, Annapurna I, and K2. Photos: Collected

Back to 8000 metres: How Bangladesh’s mountaineers emerged from a decade-long pause

2d | Panorama
Photos: Courtesy

Behind the looks: Bangladeshi designers shaping celebrity fashion

2d | Mode

More Videos from TBS

Can India replace China in world trade?

Can India replace China in world trade?

7h | Others
Chief Advisor–Party Meet: Consensus or Confrontation?

Chief Advisor–Party Meet: Consensus or Confrontation?

9h | Podcast
What did the BIDA Executive Chairman say about the China-Bangladesh Investment and Trade Summit?

What did the BIDA Executive Chairman say about the China-Bangladesh Investment and Trade Summit?

9h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 01 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 01 JUNE 2025

10h | TBS News of the day
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net