Japan's Defense Ministry says a Chinese military drone flew near Taiwan on Monday.

The ministry said the TB-001 reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle travelled over the sea between Okinawa's main island and Miyakojima Island, southwestern Japan.

Officials said the drone then flew to an area east of Taiwan.

They say it is the first time that a Chinese drone has made a solo flight over the area between the two Japanese islands. The Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter aircraft in response. The officials said the drone did not enter Japan's airspace.

Ministry sources say China may have flown the drone to gather information about Taiwan's annual large-scale military drills that started on Monday. They say Beijing may also have wanted to give a warning to Taiwan.