The defense ministry's spokesman Wu Chi-fang would not provide details of the exercise to be followed by an upscale live-fire wargame codenamed "Han Kuang 22" slated for sometime between June and July.

The United Daily News said the scenario of the wargame was that "the Chinese communist forces attack from behind, landing on the northeastern part of the island."

A Pentagon report has warned that China is building up its military at a pace that is tipping the balance against Taiwan and could pose a credible threat to other armies in the region.

Tensions rose in February after the independence-leaning President Chen Shui-bian, defying pressure from Washington and Beijing, formally abolished the symbolic guidelines on reunification with the mainland and the council that created them.

Chen said his action was prompted by Beijing's persistent military threat and its attempts to use non-peaceful means to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

China has now deployed almost 800 missiles which could paralyse Taiwan's communications and transportation and command centers in a 10-hour bombardment, the Taiwanese defense ministry has said.

Even though the two sides have been governed separately since 1949, China sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification -- by force if necessary.

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