Chinese Drones Fly Near Taiwan-Held Island In South China Sea

Taiwanese officials said Wednesday that they are willing to shoot down Chinese drones flying near Taiwan-occupied Pratas Island in the South China Sea, a response to what analysts view as the latest pressure tactic from Beijing. Ocean Affairs Council Chairman Lee Chung-wei told Taiwan’s legislature that the coast guard had recently identified Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating near Pratas, which sits about 170 nautical miles to the southeast of Hong Kong in the northern part of the South China Sea. Lee indicated that Taiwanese forces would open fire on UAVs that fly over the island, which is also claimed…