TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The U.S. State Department says that it is closely monitoring the recent Chinese drone intrusions over Kinmen and urges all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from unilaterally changing the status quo.

On March 30, it was reported that Chinese civilian drones filmed Army activities on Erdan Island in Kinmen County's Lieyu Township. Kinmen Defense Command on Monday (April 8) said that a civilian drone had been detected approaching Erdan Island and Menghu Islet twice, reported CNA. 

The Army used flares and jamming guns to drive the drone away.  

Army Chief of General Staff Chen Chien-yi (陳建義) on April 3 told CNA that drone surveillance of Dadan Island and Erdan Island were forms of gray-zone tactics and cognitive warfare. Chen said the drone intrusions are meant to create dissent toward the military and exert pressure. 

He said these are not isolated incidents, as they have happened in the past, and will happen in the future. He added they may become increasingly frequent as new Chinese pressure tactics emerge. 

In response to an inquiry by CNA on Monday regarding China's gray-zone tactics against Taiwan a U.S. State Department spokesperson urged “meaningful dialogue” between Taipei and Beijing to reduce miscalculation risks. The spokesperson emphasized Washington's ongoing appeal against unilateral changes to the status quo.

For decades, this status quo has upheld peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader region, said the spokesperson. The U.S. and other countries have long been concerned about peace in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region as stability in these areas also impacts global security and prosperity, added the official.