Military Stats: compare key data on China & Taiwan

Definitions

Air force > Combat aircraft: Number of fighter aircrafts (fixed wing aircrafts with combat capability).
Army > Main battle tanks: Number of main battle tanks.
Budget: Annual defense budget in billion USD.
Expenditures > Percent of GDP: Current military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index is comprised of 22 indicators in the three categories ongoing domestic or international conflicts; societal safety; and security and militarization. A low index value indicates a peaceful and safe country.
Military branches: This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces).
Military expenditures: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
Military service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation.
Navy > Aircraft carriers: Number of aircraft carriers.
Navy > Frigates: Number of frigates.
Navy > Submarines: Number of patrol boats (includes minesweepers).
Service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of sevice obligation.
WMD > Missile: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of missile weapons of mass destruction
WMD > Nuclear: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of nuclear weapons
Navy > Destroyers: Number of destroyers.
Branches: The names of the ground, naval, air, marine, and other defense or security forces
Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical weapons possession:
Status of possession of chemical weapons of countries that either declared chemical weapon stockpiles, are suspected of secretly stockpiling them, or are running chemical weapons research programs.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
Expenditures > Dollar figure: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical Weapons Convention ratification: Date of ratification of the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC) of countries who either declared chemical weapon stockpiles, are suspected of secretly stockpiling them, or are running chemical weapons research programs.
WMD > Biological: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of biological weapons of mass destruction
Military expenditures > Percent of GDP: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per $ GDP: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1,000 $ gross domestic product
WMD > Chemical: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of chemical weapons of mass destruction
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per capita: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Manpower > Military age: The minimum age at which an individual may volunteer for military service or be subject to conscription.
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita: Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.

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STAT	China	Taiwan
Air force > Combat aircraft	1,500 Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Taiwan	360 Ranked 5th.
Army > Main battle tanks	9,000 Ranked 1st. 5 times more than Taiwan	1,926 Ranked 4th.
Budget	166 US$ BN Ranked 1st. 9 times more than Taiwan	19.2 US$ BN Ranked 6th.
Expenditures > Percent of GDP	4.3% Ranked 14th. 95% more than Taiwan	2.2% Ranked 44th.
Global Peace Index	2.14 Ranked 62nd. 39% more than Taiwan	1.54 Ranked 137th.
Manpower fit for military service > Males age 16-49	None	None
Military branches	People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (PLAN; includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (Zhongguo Renmin Jiefangjun Kongjun, PLAAF; includes Airborne Forces), and Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed Police (Renmin Wuzhuang Jingcha Budui, PAP); PLA Reserve Force	Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command
Military expenditures	2.6% of GDP Ranked 19th. 18% more than Taiwan	2.2% of GDP Ranked 25th.
Military service age and obligation	18-24 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with a 2-year service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs; a recent military decision allows women in combat roles; the first class of women warship commanders was in 2011	18-35 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation is 2 years; women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense is in the process of implementing a voluntary enlistment system over the period 2010-2015, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 4 months of military training
Navy > Aircraft carriers	1 Ranked 2nd.	0.0 Ranked 42nd.
Navy > Frigates	48 Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Taiwan	21 Ranked 3rd.
Navy > Submarines	40 Ranked 1st. 10 times more than Taiwan	4 Ranked 13th.
Service age and obligation	18-22 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with 24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs	19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; service obligation 14 months (reducing to 1 year in 2009) year; women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense has announced plans to implement an incremental voluntary enlistment system beginning 2010, with 10% fewer conscripts each year thereafter, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 3-4 months of military training
WMD > Missile	China has produced and deployed a wide range of ballistic missiles, ranging from short-range missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). China's missiles are operated by the Second Artillery Corps, and include about 650 DF-11 (M-11) and DF-15 (M-9) missiles opposite Taiwan; several dozens of DF-3, DF-4, and DF-21 medium-range missiles that can reach Japan, India, and Russia; and 18-24 DF-5 ICBMs that can reach the United States and Europe. A transition is currently underway from relatively inaccurate, liquid-fueled, silo/cave-based missiles (DF-3, DF-4, DF-5) to more accurate, solid-fueled, mobile missiles (DF-11, DF-15, and DF-21, and a new ICBM [the DF-31] and SLBM [the JL-2], which are currently under development). China is replacing its older DF-5 missiles with new DF-5A variants, which may eventually be equipped with multiple warheads. A key question is how US deployment of ballistic missile defense (former known as theater and national missile defense) will affect the pace and scope of Chinese strategic modernization. Chinese missile exports have been a problem for more than a decade. China transferred 36 DF-3 medium-range missiles to Saudi Arabia in 1988, and supplied Pakistan with 34 M-11 short-range missiles in 1992. China has provided technology and expertise to the missile programs of several countries, including Pakistan, Iran, and North Korea. China has not joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), but has pledged to abide by its main parameters. In November 2000, China promised not to assist any country in the development of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. In August 2002, China issued regulations and a control list restricting the export of missiles and missile technology. Since 2004, China has been engaged in consultation with the MTCR; however, its application for membership was not successful in the regime's latest plenary meeting in Seoul, South Korea, in October 2004. Concerns about Chinese missile technology transfers continue.	Taiwan's short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) program is based at the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, which has developed a range of missiles including the Hsiung Feng series of anti-ship missiles, the Tien Chien series of air-to-air missiles, and the Tien Kung series of surface-to-air missiles. These systems have provided Taiwanese scientists with experience and a technological base in areas such as composite materials and guidance and fire control systems, which are essential for development of longer range surface-to-surface missiles. Taiwan has two SRBM programs. The liquid-fueled, single-stage Ching Feng has a range of 130 km with a 270 kg payload. Initially deployed in the early 1980s, it is unclear how many Ching Feng missiles were built and whether they are still operational. The Tien Chi, first test-fired in 1997, is a solid-fueled, two-stage missile with a 300 km range that can reach China's southeastern coast. The Tien Chi incorporates global positioning system technology and has an estimated payload of 100-500 kg. One report claims that as many as 50 Tien Chi missiles have been deployed on Tungyin Island and at an unidentified second location. Development of the Tien Ma, a ballistic missile with a range of 950 km, was reportedly discontinued in the early 1980s due to U.S. pressure.
WMD > Nuclear	China's nuclear weapons program began in 1955 and culminated in a successful nuclear test in 1964. Since then, China has conducted 45 nuclear tests, including tests of thermonuclear weapons and a neutron bomb. The series of nuclear tests in 1995-96 prior to China's signature of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) may have resulted in a smaller and lighter warhead design for the new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) now under development. China is estimated to have about 400 strategic and tactical nuclear weapons, and stocks of fissile material sufficient to produce a much larger arsenal. China joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984 and acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1992 as a nuclear weapon state. China provided nuclear reactors and technology to several countries in the 1980s and early 1990s, including design information and fissile material that reportedly helped Pakistan develop nuclear weapons. Since the early 1990s, China has improved its export controls, including the promulgation of regulations on nuclear and nuclear dual-use exports and has pledged to halt exports of nuclear technology to un-safeguarded facilities. In 2002 China ratified the IAEA Additional Protocol, the first and only nuclear weapons state to do so.	Taiwan's first nuclear reactor was built at National Tsinghua University in 1956, and its first nuclear power plant was opened in 1965. Taiwan now possesses six nuclear units housed in three nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 5,144 megawatts. Although plagued by domestic opposition and delays, a fourth nuclear power plant is scheduled to begin operation in 2006. Taiwan's nuclear weapons program was established under the direction of the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) and the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology following the People's Republic of China's first nuclear test in October 1964. The "Hsin Chu" program involved procurement and operation of a heavy water reactor, a heavy water production plant, a reprocessing research laboratory, and a plutonium separation plant. U.S. pressure caused Taiwan to end its nuclear weapons program in 1988 after International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections discovered missing fuel rods and the former deputy director of INER defected to the United States with detailed information about Taiwan's program. Taiwan probably possesses the technological expertise necessary to develop nuclear weapons, but U.S. pressure and the possibility of a pre-emptive strike by China have prevented a resumption of the nuclear weapons program.
Navy > Destroyers	27 Ranked 1st. 7 times more than Taiwan	4 Ranked 2nd.
Branches	People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (includes airborne forces), and Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed Police (PAP); PLA Reserve Force	Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command
Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical weapons possession	Probable	Possible
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males	10.41 million Ranked 2nd. 63 times more than Taiwan	166,190 Ranked 60th.
Expenditures > Dollar figure	$67.49 billion Ranked 1st. 9 times more than Taiwan	$7.57 billion Ranked 16th.
Weapon holdings	34.28 million Ranked 2nd. 6 times more than Taiwan	5.34 million Ranked 18th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males	10.76 million Ranked 2nd. 65 times more than Taiwan	164,883 Ranked 59th.
Manpower available for military service > Males age 16-49	None	None
Weapons of mass destruction > Chemical Weapons Convention ratification	April 4, 1997	n/a
WMD > Biological	China ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in December 1996, declaring two former chemical weapons (CW) production facilities that may have produced mustard gas and Lewisite. Since 1997, China has hosted 14 on-site inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Although China claims that it no longer possesses any CW stockpiles, the U.S. government believes that China has not revealed the full scope of its program. China has signed a bilateral agreement with Japan to destroy CW that Japan abandoned in Chinese territory during World War II.	Taiwan has been accused of making efforts to acquire a biological weapons (BW) capability. A report from the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service claimed that Taiwan has developed three dozen types of bacteria, apparently for weaponization purposes. This report, of questionable reliability, was vigorously denied by the Ministry of National Defense (MND). Taiwan signed the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) in 1972, but its role in this treaty is not officially recognized. Taiwan has not been permitted to join the Australia Group.
Expenditures	4.3% of GDP Ranked 14th. 95% more than Taiwan	2.2% of GDP Ranked 40th.
Military expenditures > Percent of GDP	4.3% of GDP Ranked 12th. 95% more than Taiwan	2.2% of GDP Ranked 3rd.
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per $ GDP	$34.94 per 1,000 $ of GDP Ranked 13th. 2 times more than Taiwan	$14.33 per 1,000 $ of GDP Ranked 66th.
WMD > Chemical	China ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in December 1996, declaring two former chemical weapons (CW) production facilities that may have produced mustard gas and Lewisite. Since 1997, China has hosted 14 on-site inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Although China claims that it no longer possesses any CW stockpiles, the U.S. government believes that China has not revealed the full scope of its program. China has signed a bilateral agreement with Japan to destroy CW that Japan abandoned in Chinese territory during World War II.	In 1989, the U.S. Congress was informed that Taiwan could have acquired an offensive chemical weapons (CW) capability. While acknowledging production of small quantities of CW agents for defense research purposes, Taiwanese authorities have consistently denied any offensive CW capabilities. Still, rumors persist that Taiwan has stockpiled sarin in two locations: Tsishan (Kaohsiung) and in Kuanhsi, Hsinchu County. Chemical defense research and development is conducted at the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology. Because of Taiwan's non-state status, it cannot join the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) nor the Australia Group.
Manpower fit for military service > Females age 16-49	None	4951088
Employment in arms > Production	2.5 million Ranked 1st. 71 times more than Taiwan	35,000 Ranked 19th.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people	7.7 Ranked 144th. 8% more than Taiwan	7.15 Ranked 156th.
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per capita	$52.07 per capita Ranked 27th.	$335.09 per capita Ranked 17th. 6 times more than China
Manpower > Availability > Males	375.01 million Ranked 1st. 60 times more than Taiwan	6.28 million Ranked 47th.
Manpower > Military age	18 years of age	19 years of age
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49	13.19 million Ranked 1st. 76 times more than Taiwan	174,173 Ranked 49th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males	10.41 million Ranked 2nd. 63 times more than Taiwan	166,190 Ranked 60th.
Manpower available for military service > Females age 16-49	363789674	None
Manpower > Availability > Females	354.31 million Ranked 1st. 58 times more than Taiwan	6.1 million Ranked 45th.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males	313.32 million Ranked 1st. 61 times more than Taiwan	5.11 million Ranked 46th.
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49	375.52 million Ranked 1st. 57 times more than Taiwan	6.58 million Ranked 43th.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people	6.83 Ranked 156th. 1% more than Taiwan	6.75 Ranked 157th.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females	9.13 million Ranked 2nd. 59 times more than Taiwan	155,306 Ranked 62nd.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Females	295.95 million Ranked 1st. 59 times more than Taiwan	5.04 million Ranked 42nd.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49	206 million Ranked 1st. 41 times more than Taiwan	5.02 million Ranked 37th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Female	9131990	155306
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Male	10406544	166190
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females	9.71 million Ranked 2nd. 64 times more than Taiwan	152,085 Ranked 60th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people	6.83 Ranked 155th. 1% more than Taiwan	6.75 Ranked 156th.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita	0.161 per capita Ranked 102nd.	0.219 per capita Ranked 15th. 36% more than China
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita	7.3 per 1,000 people Ranked 160th. 10% more than Taiwan	6.63 per 1,000 people Ranked 174th.
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita	0.293 per capita Ranked 20th. 2% more than Taiwan	0.288 per capita Ranked 25th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita	8.09 per 1,000 people Ranked 152nd. 12% more than Taiwan	7.19 per 1,000 people Ranked 166th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females	9.13 million Ranked 2nd. 59 times more than Taiwan	155,306 Ranked 62nd.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people	7.71 Ranked 143th. 8% more than Taiwan	7.13 Ranked 153th.

SOURCES: Wikipedia: List of countries by level of military equipment (List); All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/indexes/global-peace-index, Global Rankings. Vision of Humanity.; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; The Nuclear Threat Initiative; Wikipedia: Chemical warfare (Efforts to eradicate chemical weapons); Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC); Wikipedia: Chemical weapon proliferation; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 14 June, 2007; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005

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