According to China's military, it carried out beach landing and assault drills in the province directly across the sea from Taiwan. Democratically ruled Taiwan, has complained about the increasing military harassment and political pressure from Beijing to force it to accept Chinese rule.

The official People's Liberation Army Daily newspaper, said the drills had been carried out "in recent days" in the southern part of Fujian province. Fujian can be a key launching site for any Chinese invasion of Taiwan due to its geographical proximity.

The action had involved "shock" troops, sappers and boat specialists. The troops were "divided into multiple waves to grab the beach and perform combat tasks at different stages", it added.

Chinese military also showed a video involving small number of soldiers in small boats storming a beach, throwing smoke grenades, breaking through barbed wire defenses and digging trenches in the sand.

China routinely carries out military exercises up and down its coast as well as in the disputed South China Sea.

However, Taiwan has denounced China’s harassing tactics against it and says it will defend itself if attacked. Over the weekend, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated a vow to "reunify" Taiwan, and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan will not be forced to bow to China. But China’s authorities conveyed that force can be used if necessary.

Image Courtesy: News week