The missiles were launched on Tuesday from the secretive and tightly guarded Chiupeng base in southern Taiwan and could strike major Chinese cities, the United Daily News reported.

President Ma Ying-jeou, who has been criticized for being too friendly with China, was among the observers of the exercise, the paper said, citing a "reliable military source."

The test came after China, which has vowed to take back Taiwan, celebrated 60 years of communist rule on Oct. 1 by parading high-tech weapons including intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Taiwan's defense ministry declined to comment on the report, which was also carried by the Liberty Times.

The missiles tested included the Hsiungfeng 2E, which has a range of around 600km and has not yet entered the military's inventory, according to the Liberty Times.

The missile is intended for launch from both land and sea, and would be capable of striking airports and missile bases in southeast China, as well as cities such as Shanghai and Hong Kong, military experts say.

China, which still regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, has refused to renounce the use of force in dealing with Taiwan.

In his annual National Day address last week, Ma said Taiwan would "never ignore the other side's military threat despite significant improvements in cross-Strait ties."

China has targeted the country with more than 1,000 ballistic missiles, Taiwan's defense ministry says.