Taiwan has 170,000 active military personnel, less than 10% of mainland China’s. (AFP pic)
TAIPEI: Taiwanese defence authorities have decided to extend compulsory military service for men to one year, up from the current four months, amid growing tensions with China.
President Tsai Ing-wen is expected to convene Taiwan’s National Security Council on Tuesday to make the decision official, with the longer service requirement taking effect as soon as 2024.
Taiwan’s compulsory military service for men 18 and older had been reduced to four months, from one year, in 2018. That decision came after years of deliberation amid easing cross-strait military tensions and concerns that the longer requirement diverted a key source of labour, holding back the island’s economy.
But China recently has intensified pressure toward a potential unification. And with the importance of defensive capabilities highlighted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, discussions in Taiwan to extend military service gained momentum this spring.
Taiwan’s active military personnel total 170,000, less than 10% the figure for mainland China. As Taiwan estimates 100,000 males turning 18 each year, the island’s defence authorities see the full year of military training bolstering readiness in case of contingencies.
Previous articleLiverpool to sign Dutch striker Gakpo from PSV
