Taiwan's military on Thursday carried out a major manoeuvre in the south of the island, testing its ability to withstand a D-Day style attack by China.

The drill pitted a marine brigade, acting as an enemy landing force, against a motorised infantry brigade defending the island, according to the defence ministry.

The air force had planned to have four aircraft, including a US-made F-16, land on and take off from a sealed-off section of a highway near the southern city of Pingtung, but had to skip that part of the drill due to low visibility.

Ties between Taiwan and China have improved drastically since Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party became president in 2008 promising to boost trade links and allow more Chinese tourists to visit the island.

But China still claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which has governed itself since 1949, and has vowed to get it back, by force if necessary.

As a result, China continues to build up its military facing Taiwan, focusing especially on weaponry that can help bring the island to its knees, should the need arise.

Taiwanese experts estimate that China has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at the island and has recently deployed a new type of ballistic missile despite improving ties.