26-03-2022, 03:20 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/m...hina-fears
Taiwan is considering extending compulsory military service for young citizens to a year, its defence minister has said in an apparent reverse of the island’s years-long transition from conscription towards a fully voluntary military.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reignited debates in Taiwan over the readiness of its defence force for a potential invasion by China, which claims Taiwan as a province it must at some point “retake”. Taiwan’s government has been growing defence spending and has increased its weapons procurement from the US, but at the same time has been trying to transition its defence force to an entirely voluntary membership and address long-running issues with training and resources.
On Wednesday, Taiwan’s defence minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, said the current system of four months’ mandatory training was “inadequate” in the event of a conflict, and that the department would review and report on a proposal for extension. Chiu said any implementation would be a year later, and the changes would not happen quickly.
He also flagged consideration of expanding conscription to women.
Taiwan is considering extending compulsory military service for young citizens to a year, its defence minister has said in an apparent reverse of the island’s years-long transition from conscription towards a fully voluntary military.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reignited debates in Taiwan over the readiness of its defence force for a potential invasion by China, which claims Taiwan as a province it must at some point “retake”. Taiwan’s government has been growing defence spending and has increased its weapons procurement from the US, but at the same time has been trying to transition its defence force to an entirely voluntary membership and address long-running issues with training and resources.
On Wednesday, Taiwan’s defence minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, said the current system of four months’ mandatory training was “inadequate” in the event of a conflict, and that the department would review and report on a proposal for extension. Chiu said any implementation would be a year later, and the changes would not happen quickly.
He also flagged consideration of expanding conscription to women.