Taiwan launched a week of low-key military drills yesterday, axing a live-fire display as the island seeks better ties with its wary political rival, China.

China has claimed Taiwan as its own since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 and vowed to bring the island under its rule, by force if necessary. But trade and economic ties between the two governments are improving.

Under Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou, who took office in May on pledges to make peace with China, the five-day Han Kuang exercises will leave out the televised live-fire displays that Mr Ma's predecessor used to flex Taiwan's muscles before the eyes of Beijing.

"Basically the priority is to keep Han Kuang as low-key as possible to smooth cross-strait relations," said Andrew Yang, secretary-general of the Taiwan think-tank China Council of Advanced Policy Studies. "They don't want a wrong interpretation."

But Taiwan must carry out some kind of exercise to ensure conservative elements in the US that it isn't getting too close to China too fast, analysts say.

The US switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, recognising "one China", but remains the island's biggest ally and arms supplier.

Exercises this week would focus on military-media relations and military hospitality, particularly for high-level guests, a Ministry of National Defence spokesman said. On Monday, local TV showed soldiers trying out mass transit.

"It's not the same as in the past," the spokesman said. "We're reducing demonstrations."

Exercises last year began with the landing of six fighter jets on a closed six-lane section of freeway in central Taiwan.