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Taiwan says Chinese drone made 'provocative' flight over South China Sea island
Taiwan called the drone incursion provocative and warned it on international channels before it left after eight minutes, highlighting ongoing Chinese military activity nearby.
Taiwan's defence ministry reported that a Chinese reconnaissance drone entered Pratas Islands airspace, an action described as provocative and irresponsible.
The Pratas Islands, located more than 400 km from Taiwan, are lightly defended yet hold a strategic position at the northern end of the contested South China Sea.
Taiwan detected the drone at dawn as it approached the Pratas, reporting it flew beyond anti-air weapon range and left after warnings on international warning channels.
Taiwan's armed forces will maintain close vigilance and respond under routine readiness rules, while officials reiterated rejection of Beijing's sovereignty claims over the Pratas.
The incident comes amid a broader sovereignty dispute as China considers the Pratas Islands its territory, while Taiwan reports near-daily Chinese military activity and recalls a 2022 drone shootdown incident.