Taiwan shoots down Chinese drone, first in times of high tension

Taiwan shot down a Chinese drone for the first time in weeks, rising tensions between the two sides Tuesday (30/8).
Taiwan's military opened fire on a Chinese drone flying around Erdan Island.
Kinmen defense command spokesman Chang Jung Shun said live shells were fired at the drone that approached Erdan Island before 6 p.m. local time.

The drone immediately left the airspace after receiving a fire warning from Taiwan.
The South China Morning Post reported that the defense ministry named a total of three 'civilian drones' flying in three different areas in the air over Taiwan's Kinmen Islands. The three drones also invited Taiwan's reaction by opening fire.

A drone then flew over Erdan Island, 4 kilometers from China's territory in Xiamen, Fujian Province.
The Taiwanese military then fired several shots to drive the drone out of their territory back to Xiamen.

Taiwan's incident of shooting at the Chinese drone further underscores the tension between the two sides that will continue.

Tensions between China and Taiwan have increased again after the visit of the Chairman of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to Taipei some time ago.

China responded to the visit by holding massive war games to intimidate Taiwan. Beijing has also launched a number of long-range Dongfeng missiles in the waters around Taiwan.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing Wen views the Chinese drills as part of a provocation against Taiwan.

"I want to tell everyone that the more the enemy provokes, the more calm we must be," Tsai said Tuesday.

He then said, "We will not start hostilities, and we will hold back, but that doesn't mean we won't fight back."