TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Santa Claus flew over Taiwan on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, the Ministry of National Defense said, as tracked by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Also known as St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle, Santa Claus has long been a central figure in Christmas traditions. Today, he is most recognized as the cheerful man in red who delivers gifts to children around the world on Christmas Eve, according to History.

For 70 years, the joint US-Canada military organization has carried out a special mission each Christmas: monitoring the holiday gift-bringer’s global journey. According to NORAD, Santa passed over Taiwan at 10:41 p.m. local time on Wednesday, CNA reported.

The defense ministry said its armed forces maintained full control of the surrounding seas and airspace during Santa’s passage, ensuring normal conditions, and wished the public a Merry Christmas.

NORAD’s tradition began in 1955 when a child eager to speak with Santa called a military officer on duty one Christmas Eve, asking, “Are you Santa Claus?” Since then, NORAD has maintained the practice of reporting the sleigh's whereabouts to callers each year.

In addition to its hotline, NORAD updates Santa’s journey through NORAD’s website, app, and social media platforms until 2 a.m. Eastern Time on Dec. 25.