Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng-chang says the military’s decision to shoot down a Chinese civilian drone over Taiwan’s territory was “the most suitable” response.
Army command on Taiwan’s outlying Kinmen Islands said that soldiers downed the drone on Thursday after warning it to leave the area.
The Kinmen Islands are less than 10 kilometers off the coast of China — close enough for drones to cross over without difficulty.
Premier Su says the military had no choice but to fire on the drone as a defensive measure.
The incident happened just a day after President Tsai Ing-wen ordered the armed forces to take “strong countermeasures” against Chinese drone incursions.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office is calling the drone shooting incident “utterly ridiculous.” It’s accusing Taiwan’s ruling party of seizing the opportunity to hype itself up in the media while stoking tensions.
Premier Su says Taiwan is not seeking provocation, but acting to defend its people and territory.