TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan has seen Chinese drones hovering around the Taipei-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea and could shoot if they stray too close, a government minister said on Wednesday, a move that tensions with Beijing could increase dramatically.
Lee Chung-wei, who heads the Ocean Affairs Council under whose supervision the coastguard falls, said in parliament that they had recently seen Chinese drones encircling the Pratas, although they did not cross the islands. did not fly.
“They have never entered our limited waters and airspace, they have only flown at a certain distance around them,” Lee said.
While China does not recognize Taiwanese claims of sovereignty, its aircraft and ships usually stay outside Taiwan’s restricted territory, which stretches 6 km off its coast.
Asked how the Coast Guard would react if a Chinese drone entered that restricted area, Lee said they had rules for engagement.
‘Once it has come in, it will be dealt with under the rules. If we have to open, we open fire. ”
The Pratas lie at the top of the disputed waterway and have become a relatively new source of intrigue between the Chinese alleged Taiwan and Beijing.
In recent months, Taiwan has complained about repeated Chinese air force activities near the islands, which only lightly defend the Taiwan Coast Guard, although marines are regularly deployed. There is no permanent civilian population, only occasionally visiting scientists.
In October, air carriers in Hong Kong warned against a Taiwanese civilian flight flying to the Pratas weekly, forcing it to turn back.
The Pratas, the closest Taiwan-controlled area to Hong Kong, have also gained extra significance since protests against the government began in the Chinese city.
Taiwan has intercepted at least one boat near the Pratas with people fleeing Hong Kong trying to reach Taiwan.
Taiwan’s other major South China Sea island is Itu Aba, also known as Taiping Island, which is part of the Spratly Island group.
Lee said they had not yet spotted Chinese drones there.
Apart from China and Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam also have competitive claims for islands and features in the South China Sea.
Reporting by Yimou Lee; Additional reporting and writing by Ben Blanchard; Edited by Simon Cameron-Moore