Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited Taiwan at the beginning of last month. China reacted to this visit because of its one-China policy and tensions rose in the region. Following the news that Chinese warplanes and ships were patrolling the region, Taiwan announced that it had shot down an unidentified civilian UAV that entered its airspace for the first time.
TAIWAN SHOOTS A CIVIL UAV
Taiwan has been reacting to the fact that China has been flying UAVs from a very close range to the Kinmen Islands due to the military exercises off the coast for a while, and has previously stated that it will take strict measures against such violations by China.
It was the first time that the Taiwanese army shot down an unidentified civilian UAV that entered its airspace near the Lion islet, right next to the Chinese city of Xiamen.
SHOOTED WHEN THE UAV ENTERS THE PROHIBITED AIRSPACE
Taiwanese Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang stated that Taiwan shot down the drone after repeatedly warning China to withdraw.
According to the statement made by the army, the drone was shot down and fell into the sea after entering the prohibited airspace near the Lion islet.
Speaking to reporters, Su Tseng-chang said Taiwan had warned many times and “asked[China]not to cross the border”.
“We had no choice but to hit”
Su Tseng-chang said, “Every time they ignored our warnings to withdraw, we had no choice but to defend ourselves and shoot down (the drone). This was the most appropriate step after being warned repeatedly.”
“We will never provoke, and we will take the most appropriate action to protect our land and our people,” said Su Tseng-chang.
Source: Reuters