Mainland China has considered Taiwan a renegade province ever since communist forces drove the nationalists off the mainland in 1949.

China has repeatedly threatened to use military power against the island if it declares independence and has staged a series of naval exercises off the coast of Taiwan.

While a recent Pentagon report warns that China is considering further coercive moves, Beijing accuses the United States of fabricating a 'China threat' to continue arms sales to Taiwan.

Although cross-straits relations have improved in recent months, with Beijing and Taipei seeking closer business links, muted saber rattling continues.