Taipei:
Taiwan has spotted Chinese drones circling the Taipei-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea and might shoot them down if they stray also close, a government minister stated on Wednesday, a move that could substantially improve tensions with Beijing.
Speaking at parliament, Lee Chung-wei, who heads the Ocean Affairs Council below whose purview the Coast Guard falls, stated that they had not too long ago spotted Chinese drones circling the Pratas, although they have not flown more than the islands.
“They have never entered our restricted waters and airspace, they’ve just flown around them at a certain distance,” Lee stated.
While China recognises no Taiwanese claims of sovereignty, its aircraft and ships commonly keep outdoors Taiwan’s restricted zone, which extends 6 km from its coast.
Asked how the Coast Guard would react if a Chinese drone entered that restricted zone, Lee stated they had guidelines of engagement.
“After it enters it will be handled under the rules. If we need to open fire, we open fire.”
The Pratas lie at the major finish of the disputed waterway, and have turn out to be a fairly new supply of intrigue amongst Chinese-claimed Taiwan and Beijing.
In current months Taiwan has complained of repeated Chinese air force activity close to the islands, which Taiwan’s Coast Guard only lightly defends although there are periodic deployments of marines. There is no permanent civilian population, only occasional going to scientists.
In October, Hong Kong air targeted traffic controllers warned off a Taiwanese civilian flight flying to the Pratas on a routine weekly provide run, forcing it to turn back.
The Pratas, the closest Taiwan-controlled territory to Hong Kong, have also taken on further significance given that anti-government protests started in the Chinese-run city.
Taiwan has intercepted at least one boat close to the Pratas carrying folks fleeing from Hong Kong attempting to make their way to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s other primary South China Sea island is Itu Aba, also recognized as Taiping Island, which is portion of the Spratly archipelago.
Lee stated they have not spotted Chinese drones there.
Apart from China and Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam also have competing claims for islands and capabilities in the South China Sea.
(This story has not been edited by TheSpuzz employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)