President Tsai Ing-wen details Taiwan’s conscription reform during a press conference at the Presidential Office Dec. 27 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of PO)
 

President Tsai Ing-wen held a press conference Dec. 27 at the Presidential Office to announce a new conscription plan that will extend the country’s obligatory military service period for males from four months to one year.

“This was an extremely difficult decision,” Tsai said. “My responsibility is to protect our national security and interests, maintain prosperity and uphold our democratic and free way of life to pass on to future generations,” she added.

According to the president, standing on the front line of authoritarian expansion and a changing security landscape, Taiwan is taking active steps to strengthen its self-defense and thus ensure regional peace and stability.

“Only by preparing for war can we avoid war and only by being capable of fighting a war can we prevent one,” she said, adding that “the better prepared we are, the smaller the chance of adventurism from across the strait. The more united we are, the stronger and safer Taiwan will be.”

Under the reform taking effect Jan. 1, 2024, male citizens born on and after Jan. 1, 2005, will have to serve one full year in the armed forces. Their salary will also be increased to NT$26,307 (US$857) from the current approximately NT$6,500 per month.

The reform will introduce new training approaches from countries like the U.S. and involve more live drill and ammunition exercises. Depending on missions, draftees will learn close-quarter battle techniques, launch of stinger missiles and drone operation.

The new plan also includes measures to expand the country’s civil defense system and more effectively mobilize reservists.

The American Institute in Taiwan welcomed the development, saying that U.S. commitment to Taiwan and steps Taiwan takes to enhance its self-defense capabilities both contribute to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region.

The U.S. will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defense in line with its commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act, the AIT added. (SFC-E)