31.   However, a Taiwanese official told AFP that Taiwan had stepped up military drills and patrols, including air and sea operations in international waters and airspace.

32.   In Taipei earlier Tuesday, a defence ministry spokesman said Taiwan was not planning any military drills.

33.   In retaliation, Taiwan started a series of military drills in a perceived campaign to intimidate Taiwan and damage his chance of re-election.

34.   A Chinese military drill in the northern Taiwan Strait ended Monday on schedule, Xinhua announced.

35.   A Taiwanese defence ministry spokesman said Taiwan did not plan military drills and did not know if any other country planned exercises.

36.   After US warnings that the exercises could increase tension, Taiwan put the military drills back to June.

37.   Beijing conducted two rounds of missile tests and a large-scale military drill near Taiwan between July and November to try to intimidate the island from increasing its international profile.

38.   Beijing has retaliated by conducting missile tests and military drills near Taiwan to intimidate the island ahead of its presidential elections.

39.   Beijing launched a series of military drills and tests off Taiwan to intimidate the island into dropping hopes of independence ahead of its first democratic presidential elections last Saturday.

40.   Beijing retaliated by holding two rounds of missile tests and a large-scale military drill near the island, and running vicious attacks against Lee for four days running.