TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A report by Taiwan's armed forces estimates that China spent NT$641.86 billion (US$21 billion) on military exercises around Taiwan and in the western Pacific last year, a nearly 40% spike from 2023.
The report was based on the Taiwan military's monitoring of Chinese naval and air force activities in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, South China Sea, Bohai Sea, and Western Pacific, per Reuters. Costs were calculated using estimates of hourly fuel consumption, maintenance, and personnel expenses for aircraft and vessels.
According to the report, in 2024, Chinese military aircraft — including fighter jets, bombers, and drones — carried out nearly 12,000 sorties, logging 37,000 flight hours, about 30% more than the previous year. The Chinese navy, including aircraft carriers and destroyers, undertook more than 86,000 missions at sea, with total sailing time exceeding 2 million hours, a surge of about 20% from 2023.
Approximately 34% of Chinese naval activity took place in the South China Sea, about 28% in the East China Sea near Japan and South Korea, and nearly 14% in the Taiwan Strait. One of the four officials consulted by Reuters said, "They are trying to normalize their military power projection and intimidation around the first island chain."
China’s officially announced 2024 defense budget was 1.67 trillion yuan (about NT$7.13 trillion, US$233.47 billion), though many observers believe the figure is understated. Taiwan’s estimate suggests spending on military exercises accounted for about 9% of Beijing's total defense outlays, higher than the 7% calculated for 2023 using the same methodology.
