China-Taiwan military confrontation

Taiwan has warned that its armed forces have the right to “self-defence and to counterattack,” after China sent multiple warplanes across the median line between the two Asian neighbours


CHINA: Has claimed Taiwan through its “one China” policy since 1949, and has vowed to bring it under Beijing’s rule, by force if necessary

CHINA
Fuzhou
Matsu Is. (TAIWAN)
Kinmen (TAIWAN)
Taiwan Strait median line
Taipei
TAIWAN
100km 60 miles

TAIWAN: Ruling Democratic Progressive Party supports Taiwan’s separate identity from China. Has far smaller but well trained military, mostly supplied by U.S.


TOTAL GROUND FORCE PERSONNEL	= 50,000
1,030,000			88,000*

FIGHTER AND BOMBER AIRCRAFT	= 50
3,150				500

SUBMARINES 			= 5
56				2

MAJOR SURFACE WARSHIPS 		= 5
84				26

TANKS 				= 200
6,300				800
	
SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILES 	= 20
600+				12

*Includes active duty army personnel only


Sources: Financial Times, Reuters, U.S. Department of Defence
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