Taiwan on Saturday condemned China for its crackdown on the Tibet riots, in which at least 10 people died, months before Beijing hosts the Olympic Games.

Witnesses said tanks and armoured vehicles were out in force in the Tibetan capital Lhasa on Saturday morning, a day after the worst protests against China's controversial rule in the region since 1989.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement that it 'expresses concerns on the violent unrest triggered by the Chinese military crackdown... and strongly condemns China's ruthless moves, which violate human rights'.

'China attempts to promote the illusion of its 'peaceful rise' by hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympics but in fact it targets Taiwan with missiles and suppresses Tibetan people's pursuit for freedom and democracy.'

The Mainland Affairs Council, the island's top China policy-making body, said the move proved Beijing would not use peaceful means to resolve cross-strait disputes.

'China will not give up the use of force against Taiwan, evidenced by its powerful arms build-up and the adoption of the 'anti-session law'... Taiwanese people despise such barbarous behaviour,' the council said.

Taiwan's defence ministry says China had deployed more than 1,300 ballistic missiles against the island.

Beijing still regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification and has repeatedly threatened to invade should it declare formal independence. The two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.

Tibet and human rights issues in the region have taken on greater significance in the run-up to the Olympics in August, which China's leaders hope will be a chance to show the world its transformation into a modern economic power. -- AFP