TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan has spotted Chinese drones orbiting around the Taipei-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea and they could shoot them if they get too close together, a government minister said on Wednesday, an action addressing tensions with Beijing could increase dramatically.
Lee Chung-wei, head of the Ocean Affairs Council overseeing the Coast Guard, said in parliament they had recently seen Chinese drones orbiting the Pratas, although they have not flown over the islands.
“They never entered our restricted waters and airspace, they just flew around them at a certain distance,” said Lee.
While China does not recognize Taiwanese claims to sovereignty, its planes and ships generally remain outside of Taiwan’s restricted zone, which extends 6 km from the coast.
When asked how the Coast Guard would respond if a Chinese drone entered that restricted zone, Lee said they had rules.
“After it arrives, it is handled according to the rules. If we have to open fire, we open fire. “
Located at the top of the disputed waterway, the Pratas have become a relatively new source of intrigue between China-claimed Taiwan and Beijing.
In recent months, Taiwan has complained about repeated Chinese air force activity near the islands, which the Taiwan Coast Guard only slightly defends, although marines are deployed periodically. There is no permanent civilian population, only occasional visiting scientists.
In October, Hong Kong air traffic controllers warned of a Taiwanese civilian flight flying weekly to the Pratas with routine weekly resupply, forcing it to return.
The Pratas, the Taiwan-controlled area closest to Hong Kong, have also taken on additional significance since anti-government protests began in the China-led city.
Taiwan has intercepted at least one boat near the Pratas carrying people fleeing from Hong Kong trying to make their way to Taiwan.
The other major island in Taiwan’s South China Sea is Itu Aba, also known as Taiping Island, which is part of the Spratly Archipelago.
Lee said they haven’t seen any Chinese drones there.
In addition to China and Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam also have competing claims for islands and features in the South China Sea.
Reporting by Yimou Lee; Additional reporting and writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore