China insists democratic Taiwan is part of its territory, and has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around the island in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects.

On Thursday, China's defence ministry reiterated that Beijing would not renounce the use of force to achieve unification, in response to US comments that the increase in military exercises could be used to conceal a true attack.

The day before, Taipei's defence ministry said China had deployed 32 aircraft near Taiwan and announced "live-fire exercises" in an area about 40 nautical miles (74 kilometres) off the island's south.

Taiwan's military responded by sending sea, air and land forces to "monitor, alert and respond appropriately", it added.

"These comments from the relevant Taiwan departments regarding the PLA's routine training are pure hype," China's defence ministry said when asked about the drills Thursday, using an acronym for the Chinese military.

"We request that they stop playing this kind of game to attract interest," spokesman Wu Qian told a regular press briefing.

On Thursday Taiwan said it had detected 45 Chinese aircraft near the island, the highest number this year.

Earlier this month the top US military commander in the Indo-Pacific told a defence forum that the frequency of such exercises could be used to cover up a real attack.

Asked about the US comments, Wu said China would "strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts".

"But we make no promise to renounce the use of force, which is targeted at the separatist activities for Taiwan independence and external interference," he said.