A major US newspaper says Washington plans to significantly boost its troop presence on Taiwan to bolster training for local forces.

An article in The Wall Street Journal on Thursday cites US officials as saying there are plans to deploy between 100 and 200 troops to Taiwan in the coming months. Roughly 30 were sent there a year ago.

The story says the planned increase would mark "the largest deployment of forces in decades by the US on Taiwan."

It cites the officials as saying the extra troops will be tasked with training Taiwanese forces on US weapons systems and military maneuvers "to protect against a potential Chinese offensive."

The article also quotes people familiar with the program as saying the Michigan National Guard is training a Taiwanese military contingent.

Analysts say the planned increase in US engagement with Taiwan may provoke a strong reaction from China.