According to a senior government official, Taiwan plans to increase the duration of its compulsory military service from just four months to one-year.
According to the official, the change was one of many that would be discussed at a meeting on national security later today.
Tsai Ingwen, Taiwan’s president, has called the meeting to discuss ways to increase the island’s defense capability against increasing pressure from China.
Source from Reuters: “China’s unilateral behavior has become a major concern in regional security.”
The official stated that the changes will take effect in 2024 and include tougher training for conscripts and combat instruction by the US forces, as well as more rigorous shooting exercises.
The office of Ms. Tsai confirmed the meeting and said that she would announce steps in a news conference shortly after. However, Taiwan’s defense ministry declined to comment.
Taiwan’s defense priorities were different when tensions seemed to be decreasing – the compulsory military service was reduced from two years and four months to appeal more to younger voters, while at the same time, the military moved slowly from a conscript force into a professional one.
China has increased its military harassment of Taiwan in recent years. Ms Tsai’s security group has been reviewing Taiwan’s military since 2020.
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More than 70 Chinese aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense zone on Monday, the largest Chinese incursion to date.
In August, China held military drills near Taiwan as a response to Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.
The Chinese government has increased its military harassment of Taiwan in recent years, claiming that democratic Taiwan must be returned to China.
However, Taiwan denies China’s claim to sovereignty.
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