TAIPEI. Nov 10: Taiwan's military today conducted a joint navy and army exercise involving amphibious landings on the southern coast of the Island at Pingtung, defence officials said, reports AFP.

The exercise, dubbed lien hsing" ( united revival), was to-practise troops' combat readiness, the officials said.

They denied any connection with a large-scale exercise China plans to launch later this 'month, saying today's exercise was ” strictly routine" with " no political motive" and no live ammunition was used.

Taiwan's army and navy practise amphibious landings twice a year, the officials said.

According to press reports, Beijing is to carry out its own exercise in the east

China Sea, which lies to the north of Taiwan.

Military exercises on both sides of the Taiwan strait have become sensitive in the past few months after cross strait relations deteriorated in June.

Relations were soured by a visit to the United States by Taiwanese President Lee Teng Huit that month. The trip enraged China which felt Lee tried to use his visit to promote Independence for the island.

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province since the Chinese civil war ended in 1949 and has vowed to attack it. if it declares independence.

Taiwan last month scajed down a military exercise to avoid further provoking China. but has continued to hold small-scale exercises regularly.