Chinese Rocket Flies Over Taiwan: No Threat, Says Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence

A Chinese rocket carrying a satellite flew over southern Taiwan on Saturday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence (MND) reported. The rocket, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China’s Sichuan at 3 pm local time, posed no threat to Taiwan as it had already left Earth’s atmosphere when it passed over the region.

Taiwan’s MND closely monitored the launch and tracked real-time information through intelligence and surveillance systems. The public was alerted about the imminent launch on Friday.

Earlier, on January 9, Taiwanese security forces issued a nationwide air raid alert after a Chinese satellite flew over its southern airspace. The MND apologized for any confusion caused by an incorrect text message that labeled the launch vehicle as a ‘missile.’

This development comes just days before Taiwan’s presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13. Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated China’s stance on reunifying Taiwan, describing the upcoming elections as a choice between ‘war and peace.’ Xi has repeatedly affirmed that Taiwan is a part of China and must be reunified, by force if necessary.

Despite never having governed Taiwan, China continues to assert its sovereignty over the region and insists on eventual reunification.