TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Chinese PLA surveillance drone briefly entered airspace over Dongsha Island on Saturday, prompting warnings from the Ministry of National Defense.

The ministry said it detected the drone operating in Taiwan’s southwestern airspace before it approached Dongsha shortly after 5:40 a.m, per CNA. The Dongsha garrison was ordered to heighten surveillance and readiness.

According to the ministry, the drone entered Dongsha Island’s airspace at 5:44 a.m. at an altitude beyond the effective range of local air-defense systems. After Taiwan sent warnings, the drone departed at 5:48 a.m.

The ministry said the PLA’s actions were provocative and irresponsible, seriously undermining regional peace and stability. It added the incursion violated international legal norms.

Taiwan’s armed forces will maintain vigilance and combat readiness, the ministry said. The Dongsha Islands are a remote atoll in the northern South China Sea administered by Taiwan and located roughly 444 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung.