31.   The spokesman declined to say whether Hanoi had made any behind-the-scenes representations to Beijing about the missile exercises.

32.   Yeh added he was worried the mainland could take more drastic action following the announcement of the missile exercise.

33.   Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto ordered a study Tuesday on the impact of Chinese missile exercises off the Taiwan coast on shipping in the region.

34.   Jittery investors on Wednesday dumped Taiwan shares and scrambled for the US dollar ahead of Chinese missile firing exercises off the nationalist island.

35.   The drill will last until Friday, when China is to end its week-long missile exercise, the newspaper said.

36.   The huge garrison on Kinmen also stepped up night patrols after China on Friday began its missile exercise, they said.