Kirby, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Defense. Figure: Retrieved from Kirby’s Twitter (file photo)
The CCP has frequently used civilian drones to harass the Jinma defense zone. President Tsai Ing-wen ordered on the 30th that the national army should take timely and strong measures to counter the CCP’s drones; the Army’s Kinmen Defense Command used live ammunition to drive away 4 sorties for two consecutive days from the 30th to the 31st. drone. Beijing criticized Taiwan for “exaggerating tension,” but White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said today that a “new normal” has been established in light of China’s aggression and coercion in the Taiwan Strait. The United States will not accept a change in the status quo, and Taiwan’s concerns are justified.
Foreign media asked Kirby what he thought of Taiwan’s announcement that it would use live ammunition to drive away Chinese drones, and whether he thought the remarks were too drastic. Kirby responded that in view of the CCP’s unnecessary military aggression, arbitrary and coercive actions around the Taiwan Strait, it is understandable for Taiwan leaders to express concerns. The United States has long stated that it does not support any unilateral act or force to change the status quo, and Kirby stressed: “This remains our current policy.”
Kirby said that since the US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, China has clearly tried to change the status quo around Taiwan, establishing a “new normal” for aircraft and ships to cross the central line of the Taiwan Strait and drones to fly over. The United States will not accept changes in the status quo, neither will it recognize it, nor will it comply with it, nor will it stop expressing concerns. There is no reason for China to escalate the situation and change the previous status quo practice, he reiterated: “Because the US ‘one China policy’ has not changed at all, the fact that we do not support Taiwan independence has not changed.”
Chinese drones were spotted on the outer islands of Kinmen again on August 31. The Army’s Kinmen Defense Command stated that from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 31st, the defenders found civilian drones in Dadan, Caoyu and Lieyu areas respectively. 3 batches of 3 sorties, after the defensive shooting was driven away, and the signal bomb was passed to the garrisoned troops, the drone flew towards Xiamen. The Ministry of Defense will continue to maintain vigilance and close monitoring.