In a first, Taiwan's Presidential Office runs war games to simulate a China emergency

TAIPEI, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Taiwan's Presidential Office conducted its first ever tabletop exercise simulating a military escalation with China, several officials briefed on the matter said, at a time when the island is facing renewed Chinese military threats.

Dozens of central and local government agencies as well as civil groups participated in the 3-hour exercise on Thursday, the sources said, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

China has in recent years stepped up military threats, including the large massing of naval forces this month and daily military activities close to democratically governed Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own over Taipei's rejection.