Space Travel News
TAIWAN NEWS
Taiwan says frontline island on alert over Chinese civilian drone incursions
Taiwan says frontline island on alert over Chinese civilian drone incursions
by AFP Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) April 2, 2024

Taiwan said Tuesday that soldiers on one of its tiny frontline islands just off China's mainland were on heightened alert following what it called provocations by Chinese civilian drones.

Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.

In addition to military pressure from Chinese warplanes and vessels that maintain a near-daily presence around the island, Taiwan has faced incursions from civilian and unidentified drones that surveil and harass its troops.

Taiwan's military said in a statement that soldiers stationed on Erdan island had been required to "increase their vigilance in surveillance" in response to "Chinese netizens frequently using drones to provoke".

Erdan, which lies five kilometres (three miles) from the Chinese coast, is part of Taiwan's frontline Kinmen Island chain.

The Kinmen Defence Command also said in a statement that it will enhance the training of soldiers on the handling of drones, including taking "appropriate countermeasures depending on the level of threat".

The statement came after local media reported on a video posted to YouTube last week allegedly showing drone footage of soldiers and military facilities on Erdan.

The video was accompanied by a caption reading "Taiwanese soldiers on Erdan island are scared away by a Chinese drone."

In 2022, Taiwanese soldiers on Kinmen shot down an unidentified civilian drone following a visit to Taipei by then-US House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The drone and other incursions follow a pattern of what experts dub "grey zone" actions -- tactics that fall short of outright acts of war -- which have ramped up since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen.

Political tensions have also risen since January after Tsai's deputy Lai Ching-te -- whom Beijing considers a "separatist" -- was elected as president, and amid an ongoing row between China and Taiwan over a fatal boat incident.

Related Links
Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TAIWAN NEWS
Taiwan ex-leader Ma embarks on 'peace journey' to China
Taipei (AFP) April 1, 2024
Taiwan's former president Ma Ying-jeou headed to China on Monday for what he called a "journey of peace" aimed at cooling cross-strait tensions. China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control. Ma, of the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang party, oversaw an improvement in cross-strait ties during his 2008-2016 stint in office, culminating in a summit between him and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapo ... read more

TAIWAN NEWS
TAIWAN NEWS
Perseverance Pays off When Studying the Martian Atmosphere

Fascinated by Fascination Turret: Sols 4137-4138

Mars Express achieves 25,000 orbits

European Scientists Unveil Detailed Mars Map Ahead of Rosalind Franklin Rover Mission

TAIWAN NEWS
NASA sets stage for Extended Lunar Exploration with Artemis IV and Gateway Station

Japan Moon probe put to sleep again

Japan Moon probe survives second lunar night

CADRE Rovers Complete Crucial Testing Phase Ahead of Lunar Mission

TAIWAN NEWS
New study reveals potential "ice bombs" among Kuiper Belt Objects

Unlocking the Secrets of Eternal Ice in the Kuiper Belt

Hubble's Latest Gaze Reveals Jupiter's Dynamic Weather Patterns

NASA Armstrong Updates 1960s Concept to Study Giant Planets

TAIWAN NEWS
Unlocking the secrets of Earth's underground ecosystems

Uncovering the thermal pathways to life's origins

Webb opens new chapter in search for forming planets

ESA targets Enceladus in ambitious mission to Saturn

TAIWAN NEWS
North Korea says it fired new intermediate-range hypersonic missile

DARPA awards Phase Four with contract for Very Low Earth Orbit Propulsion System

GMV spearheads development in reusable hypersonic avionics at ESA workshop

Starship's Third Launch: A Glimpse into the future of reusable launch vehicles

TAIWAN NEWS
Shenzhou 17 astronauts complete China's first in-space repair job

Tiangong Space Station's Solar Wings Restored After Spacewalk Repair by Shenzhou XVII Team

BIT advances microbiological research on Chinese Space Station

Chang'e 6 and new rockets highlight China's packed 2024 space agenda

TAIWAN NEWS
Sungrazer Project announces 5000th comet detection through public science project

ESA CubeSat will probe asteroid with radar as part of Hera mission

Rare Glimpse of the 'Devil Comet': Visibility Tips for 12P/Pons-Brooks

DART mission alters Asteroid Dimorphos' orbit and shape

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.