Military Superiority: uncovering the power differences between China and Taiwan

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

For several years, intelligence agencies and war analysts have been warning that China would attempt to reintegrate Taiwan through military force. The consensus is that Beijing will put its plans into motion in 2027. But could China win this conflict?

China could try to take Taiwan in 2027

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

Whether China could beat Taiwan in 2027 is a difficult question to answer, largely due to the uncertainty around how Taiwan’s allies would react to such an attack. Donald Trump will still be President in 2027 and could forgo US assistance to Taiwan. 

What happens in a one-on-one struggle?

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

When it comes down to one-on-one military power, China outstrips Taiwan in almost all categories. However, Taiwan has the advantage of being on the defensive as well as an edge thanks to the giant body of water between it and mainland China. 

Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

Visual Capitalist recently used U.S. Department of Defense data to evaluate the military differences between mainland China and Taiwan. The side-by-side findings were quite interesting and revealed the total military edge Beijing has over Taiwan. 

An important note about the data

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

However, before we take a look at the data, it’s important to point out that the Chinese military figures only include the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern and Southern theatres, which means China still has other resources available elsewhere. 

Personnel

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 427,000

Taiwan: 104,000

Tanks

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 1,000

Taiwan: 800

Artillery pieces

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 2,300

Taiwan: 1,100

Aircraft Carriers

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 1 

Taiwan: 0

Destroyers

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 30

Taiwan: 4

Frigates

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 36

Taiwan: 22

Landing Ships/ transport docks

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 51

Taiwan: 51

Submarines

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 39

Taiwan: 4

Fighter Jets

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 800

Taiwan: 350

Bombers/ Attack Jets

Can Taiwan stand up to Beijing alone?, China could try to take Taiwan in 2027, What happens in a one-on-one struggle?, Answer the Asian-Pacific’s hardest questions, An important note about the data, Personnel, Artillery pieces, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, Frigates, Landing Ships/ transport docks, Submarines, Fighter Jets, Bombers/ Attack Jets

China: 300

Taiwan: 0

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