Taiwan military exercises simulate attacks by China after mainland stages apparent mock strike

Taiwan's military fire artillery from M110A2 self-propelled Howitzers during the annual Han Kuang exercises in Hsinchu, north eastern Taiwan, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Taiwan's military is simulating attacks by political rival China this week, despite an overall warming of ties, after Beijing staged what appeared to be a strike against the presidential office in Taipei. (AP Photo/Wally Santana) (The Associated Press)

Taiwan's military fire artillery from self-propelled Howitzers during the annual Han Kuang exercises in Hsinchu, north eastern Taiwan, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Taiwan's military is simulating attacks by political rival China this week, despite an overall warming of ties, after Beijing staged what appeared to be a strike against the presidential office in Taipei. (AP Photo/Wally Santana) (The Associated Press)

Taiwan's military rest behind self-propelled Howitzers during the annual Han Kuang exercises in Hsinchu, north eastern Taiwan, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Taiwan's military is simulating attacks by political rival China this week, despite an overall warming of ties, after Beijing staged what appeared to be a strike against the presidential office in Taipei. (AP Photo/Wally Santana) (The Associated Press)

Taiwan's military is simulating attacks by political rival China this week, despite an overall warming of ties, after Beijing staged what appeared to be a strike against the presidential office in Taipei.

The exercises, larger this year than in the past, follow televised images from China on July 22 depicting a mock ground troop attack on a red tower and attached low-rises that resembled Taiwan's presidential compound.

China is Taiwan's only major potential military threat and the two sides are separated by an ocean strait that is 160 km (100 miles) across at its narrowest point.