Taiwan detects four Chinese balloons near major air base ahead of presidential election

Four Chinese balloons were detected moving across the median line separating Taiwan from China, with three flying directly above the island, as tensions with Beijing flare ahead of the self-ruled democracy's presidential election this month. According to a graphic released by Taipei's defence ministry, three balloons headed northeast above Taiwan after appearing "southwest of Ching-Chuan-Kang", home to a military airbase in the western city of Taichung. The lowest altitude measured for one of them was 12,000 feet (3,658 metres). The balloons were spotted between 8:27 a.m. and 6:41 pm Tuesday, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. They continued traveling…