Taiwan Government has extended its mandatory military service from four months to one year.
The President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, said on Tuesday that the move followed growing tensions with China.
“Peace will not drop from the sky… Taiwan is on the frontline of authoritarian expansion,” she said.
President Tsai, said those conscripted be made to go through more intense training, borrowing some elements from the US and other advanced militaries.
She noted that with Taiwan’s current defence system, they cannot withstand the aggression from China, one of the world’s largest and most advanced militaries.
“This is an extremely difficult decision, but as president, as the head of military forces, it is my unavoidable duty to defend national interests and our democratic way of life,”.
“No-one wants war, Taiwan and Taiwanese people are the same, and the international community is the same,” she said, adding that, China’s military aggression has become increasingly obvious after its war game in August.” She stressed.
Tensions between Taipei and Beijing soared in August following a visit to the island by US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
Taiwan, has also become a flashpoint in US-China relations given the island’s close ties to Washington.
