China's recent test of a land-attack cruise missile reportedly able to hit targets 1,500km away, to an accuracy of just 10m, has highlighted the mainland's growing ability to rain fire on Taiwan if the two rivals ever come to blows.

But what has drawn less attention in recent years is that Taiwan is matching the mainland missile threat with one of its own - an interest with far-reaching implications for one of the world's last cold war hotspots.