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China declared it was "ready to fight at all times" after concluding an unprecedented, three-day-long war games in the waters around Taiwan in retaliation against the Taiwanese president's visit to the US.
Although a full-scale invasion is unlikely, experts suggest that Taipei at best would be able to deter China’s military might, till its allies responded.
The Chinese military began the “combat readiness patrol" around the self-governed island on Saturday following president Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with House speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.
Beijing simulated a complete attack on the island from missile bombardment to sealing off the island by blocking sea and air traffic. The war games not only serve as intimidation, but also as an opportunity for the Chinese troops to practice locking the island in case of an actual attack.
Beijing had reacted in a similar manner to former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei in 2022.
The military harassment has only grown since then with China flying record numbers of aircraft into Taiwan's airspace.
The communist government claims Taipei is obliged to reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary, and has no right to conduct foreign relations.
The drills have been condemned by Japan and the US – one of Taiwan's strongest allies.
China has the largest armed forces in the world by active duty military personnel, with over two million active soldiers and 510,000 in reserve.
Taiwan, in comparison, has 169,000-strong active military personnel and is currently backed by some 1.66 million “civilian warriors”, according to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Both the mainland and the self-governed island have substantially increased their defence budget this year amid escalating tensions between the Asian countries.
China in March announced defence spending at $225bn, a 7.2 per cent rise and the quickest rate of increase since 2019. Then-premier Li Keqiang warned that "external attempts to suppress and contain China are escalating".
"The armed forces should intensify military training and preparedness across the board," he said as he presented the government's annual work report.
The Taiwanese administration also beefed up the defence budget this year to $19bn, a nearly 15 per cent increase from last year. The allocations were made for enhancements to air and naval combat systems to counter China's incursions.
During the latest combat exercises, China focused on "anti-access and area denial", a Taiwanese government official told Financial Times, referring to a strategy of blocking US forces from entering and operating in airspace and waters close to China.
“There were a lot of simulated attacks on aerial and sea targets, focused on keeping forces out that would be arriving from outside the island chain.”
China has a massive fleet of 86 naval ships and 59 submarines, whereas, Taiwan operates 26 naval ships and just four submarines.
In terms of airpower as well, China outnumbers Taiwan with over 2,921 warplanes, including the J-20s. Taipei is reported to have 744 aircraft in its arsenal.
Taiwan has 650 tanks to defend against China's 4,800 tanks. In terms of self-propelled artillery, China's fleet consists of 9,550 compared to Taiwan's 2,093.
Meanwhile, Taiwan said it has launched an annual large-scale drill on Thursday jointly with its disaster services and defence ministry. Last year, the government revamped the disaster-preparedness drills to include more wartime scenarios.
This year, the administration said, that trend would continue with war preparedness, which will comprise 70 per cent of the drills’ contents.
FAQs
Taiwan has weapons systems such as the US-made Patriot air defence system as well as its homegrown Tien Kung or “Sky Bow” surface-to-air anti-ballistic missiles, and Hsiung Feng anti-ship missile systems.
What kind of military does Taiwan have? ›
The Republic of China Army (ROCA), also known as the ROC Army and unofficially as the Taiwanese Army, is the largest branch of the Republic of China Armed Forces. An estimated 80% of the ROC Army is located on Taiwan, while the remainder are stationed on the Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Dongsha and Taiping Islands.
Where does Taiwan rank in the military? ›
19 (CNA) Taiwan is ranked as having the 24th most powerful military in the world in 2024, a drop of one spot from last year, according to an annual survey published by Global Firepower (GFP), a website that keeps track of global defense information.
How does China's military compare to the US? ›
In almost every respect, China's armed forces lag behind the U.S. military by at least a couple of decades; in many areas they even compare poorly with the “hollow force” that the United States fielded in the immediate wake of the war in Vietnam.
How many fighter jets does Taiwan have? ›
Current estimates place PLAAF fighter aircraft at approximately 1,600, with 700 dedicated to the Eastern and Southern Theaters directly adjacent to Taiwan. Meanwhile, the ROCAF retains a modest fighter inventory of only 400 aircraft.
Does Taiwan have nuclear weapons? ›
Currently, there is no evidence of Taiwan possessing any chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. However, nuclear weapons from the United States were deployed to Taiwan during a period of heightened regional tensions with China beginning with the First Taiwan Strait Crisis and ending in the 1970s.
Can China defeat the US Navy? ›
China would win a naval war in Chinese territorial waters, under land-based air cover. But the United States has no intention of fighting a war on China's turf. They will fight that war on the high seas, which is their turf. China will lose a naval war anywhere else but just off the Chinese coast.
Who has the strongest military in the world? ›
'The United States' has the most powerful army in the world. If we talk about power, in 2024 the US have 104 million soldiers. According to the data, the US government spent US$693 billion on its military in 2023.
Which country has the best defence system in the world? ›
List of Top 10 Strongest Militaries of the World 2024
| Rank | Country | Power Index (PwrIndx) |
|---|
| 1 | United States | 0.0712 |
| 2 | Russia | 0.0714 |
| 3 | China | 0.0722 |
| 4 | India | 0.1025 |
6 more rows6 days ago
The United States Air Force (USAF) maintains its top position in the world with an outstanding margin. As of 2021, the USAF possesses a massive fleet of 5,217 active aircraft, Making it the largest, most technologically advanced, and most powerful air force globally.
2024 Military Ranking: The United States stands first among the top 10 militaries in the world. The world's most powerful military is that of the United States, followed by Russia and China in second and third place, respectively, Global Firepower, a website that keeps track of global defence information revealed.
Who has a stronger military, the U.S. or China? ›
Although China lags behind the United States regarding operational skills and military hardware, it has also improved relative capabilities in many areas. China has the second largest air force in the world after the United States, which has the most significant air force strength.
Whose army is better China or USA? ›
Although China continues to lag the United States in terms of aggregate military hardware and operational skills, it has improved its relative capabilities in many critical areas.
Who is strong China or USA? ›
The United States has been ranked the most powerful country in Asia in a new Lowy Institute report. China's power has been affected by isolation and its zero-COVID policy. Australia was ranked sixth in the Asia Power Index.
What weapons does Taiwan use for defense? ›
They primarily supply weapons and platforms to the Republic of China Armed Forces with few major weapons systems exported abroad. Taiwanese defense industry has produced fighter aircraft, missile systems, surface ships, radars, rocket artillery, armored vehicles, and small arms.
How legitimate is China's claim to Taiwan? ›
Prior to 1942, the CCP maintained that Taiwan was a separate nation. Since its establishment in 1949, the PRC has claimed Taiwan as a province and has refused to establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The PRC has additionally not ruled out the use of force in the pursuit of unification.
Is China legally obligated to invade Taiwan? ›
President Hu Jintao promulgated the law with Presidential Decree No. 34. Although the law, at ten articles, is relatively short, Article 8 formalized the long-standing policy of the PRC to use military means against Taiwan independence in the event peaceful means become otherwise impossible.
Does Taiwan claim China is theirs? ›
Both the ROC and the PRC still officially (constitutionally) claim mainland China and the Taiwan Area as part of their respective territories. In reality, the PRC rules only Mainland China and has no control of but claims Taiwan as part of its territory under its "One China Principle".
