Taiwan has fired warning shots for the first time to drive back drones that flew over its outlying islands near China.
The Xiamen city skyline on the Chinese mainland is seen past anti-landing spikes placed along the coast of Lieyu islet on Taiwan's Kinmen islands, which lie just 3.2km from the mainland China coast. Photo: AFP
Taiwan's defence ministry said the three drones were seen flying back towards the Chinese mainland.
Taipei has in recent weeks complained of Chinese drones flying close to its islets near the Chinese mainland.
Cross-strait tensions remain high after US politician Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this month.
Taiwan has reported an increase in drone incursions after China launched huge military drills in a show of force after Pelosi's visit.
President Tsai Ing-wen has labelled some of the drone missions - which have flown over military outposts - as a type of "grey zone" warfare activity.
The Kinmen Defense Command said three civilian drones were spotted on Tuesday evening in Dadan, Erdan and Shiyu - three Kinmen islets that are just a few kilometres away from the Chinese city of Xiamen.
It added that it fired warning flares, before firing a live round at a returning drone. The drones eventually headed towards Xiamen.
China is yet to respond to the latest report from Taiwan. But Beijing earlier this week dismissed complaints from the island asserting repeated harassment by Chinese drones.
"Chinese drones flying over China's territory, what's there to be surprised at?" said foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Monday.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry expressed anger at his comments, saying "uninvited people are called thieves".
In mid-August, leaked drone footage of Taiwanese soldiers throwing rocks at the machines in a bid to drive them back, was widely circulated online. The video stoked widespread ridicule and mockery on Chinese social media.
President Tsai Ing-wen has pledged to upgrade the island's defences. Last week, her government unveiled a record defence budget of T$586.3 billion ($US19b).
On Wednesday, Taiwan also said it was prepared to "counter attack" in the future if Chinese planes and ships entered its territorial space.
China carried out its biggest-ever military exercises around Taiwan in response to Pelosi's visit in early August. Over a week, it sent missiles, fighter jets and warships into spaces claimed by Taiwan.
Taiwan's government accused Beijing of using those military drills to prepare for an invasion.
China saw Pelosi's visit as a challenge to its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, which sees itself as distinct.
China and Taiwan: The basics
- Why do China and Taiwan have poor relations? China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory and insists it should be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary
- How is Taiwan governed? The island has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders, and about 300,000 active troops in its armed forces
- Who recognises Taiwan? Only a few countries recognise Taiwan. Most recognise the Chinese government in Beijing instead. The US has no official ties with Taiwan but does have a law which requires it to provide the island with the means to defend itself
- BBC