The US has warned China against using force in Beijing's campaign to bring Taiwan under its control.

Officials in Washington hinted that US forces might be sent to the region if China carried out its threat to use military means to achieve reunification.

State Department spokesman Joe Lockhart said an indication of how the US would react was provided by its response to a Chinese show of military strength against Taiwan four years ago.

On that occasion Washington sent a fleet of warships to the area.

"In 1996 we responded appropriately to what we viewed was a threat. That should give you some indication of how we view this situation," Mr Lockhart said.

The State Department said negotiations were the only way for China - which regards Taiwan as a renegade province - to achieve its ambitions.

Mr Lockhart said: "We would view any threat against Taiwan with grave concern. Bilateral engagement is the way to move forward."

The authorities in Taipei said Beijing should stop trying to get its own way through intimidation, and instead concentrate on practical steps which could lead to peaceful and democratic union.

Taiwan has rejected the formula under which Hong Kong and Macau were returned to China with the promise of a large degree of autonomy.

It insisted that the communist nation embrace Western-style democracy before it would consider reunification.

Election pressure

On Monday, China's State Council issued a policy document warning that if Taiwan dragged its heels on reunification, Beijing would "adopt all drastic measures possible, including the use of force" to resolve the issue.

A day later, a foreign ministry spokesman kept up the pressure.

"After the return of Hong Kong, Macau has also returned smoothly to the embrace of the motherland. It is natural for us to have a sense of urgency in resolving the Taiwan issue."

China had previously only threatened to use force against Taiwan in case of a foreign invasion, a proclamation of independence or "internal chaos".

Beijing's latest pronouncements came in the run-up to presidential elections in Taiwan on 18 March. The 1996 crisis also coincided with Taiwanese presidential elections.

Some analysts say the new threats are a tactic to impose Chinese influence on the elections.