On paper, China’s is the largest standing military in the world. But with an antique arsenal and poorly trained forces, it doesn’t have the capability of invading Taiwan or challenging the U.S.

The PLA has 2.9 million in active service, plus 1.2 million reserves.

China has an aging fleet of 44 subs and 50 destroyers and frigates.

The air force consists of 420 medium and light bombers and about 4,000 fighters, but most are more than 20 years old. At least 40 of the 100 H-6 medium bombers are thought to be nuclear capable.

China has 17 ICBMs and 70 medium-range ballistic missiles.

China has deployed about 300 nuclear warheads and has been accused of selling the technology to other countries. It is also thought to be an active developer of chemical and biological weapons.

Taiwan has gradually been upgrading its military over the past decade, buying and building modern weapons. It is also well prepared to defend itself against an invasion.

There are 376,000 active personnel in Taiwan’s army, and a 1.7 million reserve force.

Taiwan has 38 destroyers and frigates and 4 submarines, including 2 Sea Dragon-class subs built in the ’80s.

Air force consists of 365 fighters, mostly F-5s and F-104s. It purchased 150 U.S. F-16s for delivery next year.

Taiwan has some know-how but U.S. pressure has twice halted nuclear-weapons development.

Secretary of Defense William Perry rightly boasts of American military dominance in the Pacific.

307,000 active-duty military personnel are stationed in the Pacific, with some 100,000 forward deployed in the Western Pacific.

There are 200 vessels and 2,000 aircraft in the region and the Independence and the Nimitz battle groups have been stationed near Taiwan. In a conflict, the Pentagon would deploy four or five carrier battle groups (with 250-300 aircraft), up to 100 heavy bombers and 10 wings of strike aircraft.

Last week the U.S. agreed to sell Taiwan anti-aircraft missiles and upgrade the F-16s on order with modern targeting and navigational systems.

Communists take Beijing; Nationalists flee to Taiwan

Chinese communist troops join North Korea against American in the Korean War

Nationalist-held Quemoy and Matsu islands are bombarded by communists

Troops crush Tibetan revolt; Dalai Lama flees to India

China and India clash over disputed border

Sino-Soviet split intensifies and military buildup begins along the border

Cultural Revolution

Chinese clash with Soviet troops on disputed border

Mao dies

Deng Xiaoping launches “Four Modernizations” program

Washington and Beijing establish diplomatic relations; Deng visits the United States

Sixteen-day border war between China and Vietnam reveals weaknesses in the PLA

China, Taiwan and four other countries intermittently clash over the resource-rich Spratly Islands

Massacre in Tiananmen Square

FUTURE EVENTS

China regains control of Hong Kong and surrounding are from Britain

Beijing takes Macau peninsula from Portugal

In billions of current dollars

1991 1993 1995 Taiwan $9.3 $12.1 $11.3* China+ 28-36 28-36 28-36 U.S.A. 273.3 291.1 271.6 ..MR.-