Though Taiwan, a country of 25 million people, is happy as an independent democracy, Beijing insists it is a "breakaway province" and "inviolate" Chinese territory, repeatedly stating it will use force to bring the island back under China's control.

Now the images have shown the People's Liberation Army (PLA) moving the military vehicles into the Eastern Theatre Command on China's coastal cities across the strait from Taiwan, with missile launchers well within range to hit any targets in Taiwan.

"We make no promise to abandon the use of force, and retain the option of taking all necessary measures," Chinese leader Xi Jinping said in a recent speech.