TAIPEI--Taiwan’s defense ministry on Monday reported that a Chinese balloon had been detected over the sea to Taiwan’s north, the first time since April it has reported such an incident in what Taipei views as part of a pattern of harassment by Beijing.

Taiwan said Monday it had detected a Chinese balloon over waters northwest of the island, the first reported since April, as Beijing maintains pressure on Taipei to accept its claims of sovereignty. Communist China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has refused to renounce the use of force to bring it under its control.

Taiwan announced on Monday that it had detected a Chinese balloon, thought to possibly contain spying equipment, floating northwest of the self-ruled island.

Taiwan’s defence ministry has spotted a Chinese balloon over the waters northwest of the island after China’s ongoing military pressure on Taiwan. According to the Voice of America, it was the first such incident since April.

A Chinese balloon was detected near Taiwan, marking the first sighting in six months amid escalating tensions.