According to China News Service, the drills took place over the weekend in Zhangzhou near Xiamen, a coastal city in Fujian.

More than 3,000 troops took part in the war games which were attended by officials including the Nanjing military region's commander Zhu Wengquan and his deputy Lin Bingyao as well as the governor of Fujian.

They coincided with comments by President Hu Jintao that China must reinforce its defence and prioritise the protection of its territorial integrity, in a rare statement on military matters.

Large scale joint sea, land and air drills on Dongshan Island, 150 nautical miles west of Taiwan, are also imminent, the pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po said Friday.

China has recently stepped up its rhetoric against Taiwan, warning pro-independence forces it has the military strength to invade the island.

Tension between Beijing and Taipei has been heightened since Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was re-elected this year, with China fearing his pro-independence moves were aimed at gaining formal independence.

Taiwan meanwhile staged live-fire cannon exercises Friday, continuing its own major annual military manoeuvres.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory waiting to be reunified, by force if necessary. The two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949.

WAR.WIRE