What's happened
Taiwan shot down an unidentified civilian drone that entered its airspace near an islet off the Chinese coast.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China, with Taiwan accusing China of repeatedly flying drones very close to small groups of islands it controls near China's coast. The incident also comes after China launched its largest ever military exercises around Taiwan this month following a visit to the island by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
What the papers say
The Independent characterises Taiwan's decision to shoot down the drone as an 'appropriate' act of self-defence, while Reuters reports that China's foreign ministry has accused Taiwan's ruling party of attempting to hype tensions. Al Jazeera and The Times report that Taiwan has repeatedly complained of harassment by drones coming from China and flying right up close to the Kinmen islands. The Guardian reports that Taiwan's government has said it will not provoke or escalate tensions but has been particularly angered recently by repeated cases of Chinese drones buzzing islands controlled by Taiwan close to China's coast. The Hill reports that Taiwan's military fired warning shots at drones from China flying over its outposts just off the Chinese coastline, underscoring heightened tensions and the self-ruled island's resolve to respond to new provocations.
How we got here
Taiwan has complained of Beijing repeatedly flying drones very close to small groups of islands it controls near China's coast, most recently by the Kinmen islands. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its own territory and has vowed to bring it under control by force.
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