Taiwan's army has conducted its first drills using live ammunition in rifles and handguns outside military facilities.

The exercise took place on Tuesday at a swimming area in the northern city of Taoyuan on the scenario that enemy forces were trying to land at the beach. About 50 personnel took part.

The army said the drill was aimed at boosting soldiers' skills in a realistic environment amid China's mounting military pressure on Taiwan.

The practice site is close to Taoyuan International Airport and within 30 kilometers of central Taipei and the presidential office.

The site is thought to be one of the likely landing areas in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

In the practice, soldiers armed with rifles and handguns fired at mock targets from set positions using live ammunition. They then examined their accuracy.

An army colonel said the military wants to improve individual soldiers' abilities through drills in a realistic coastal environment.