Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Taiwan will continue to strengthen its military power, although there are rumors that Beijing is ready to reduce the number of missiles aimed against the island.

The latest issue of the Hong Kong weekly Yazhou Zhoukan reports the statement of an anonymous source in China, according to whom the Beijing authorities could reduce the number of missiles aimed at Taiwan, despite criticisms on the part of the Chinese army.

The statement was released at a time when tensions between the two sides of the strait are easing, since Ma Ying-jeou became president of Taiwan last May.

Chinese president Hu Jintao, in a speech last week, praised China's "compatriots in Taiwan," and proposed military collaboration, precisely in order to establish greater mutual trust.

This vague statement has been received with skepticism by Taiwan's defense ministry. Lisa Chi, a spokesperson for the ministry, said that "it would be our pleasure to see [the reduction of missiles], if realized." "Even so, such a move would have a greater symbolic implication than a material significance, because it would not take long to redeploy such missiles whenever needed. We'll continue strengthening our arms buildup and combat preparedness," the spokesperson concluded.

According to Taipei's defense ministry, China has about 1,300 missiles aimed against the island, in order to prevent any possible declaration of independence by the "rebel province."

The opposition party, the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party), has also warned against believing the "pacifist" rumors from Beijing.

Last month, Taiwan and China began direct daily contacts by air, sea, and mail, in order to strengthen and integrate their economies.