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| MND Deputy Minister Chao Shih-chang announces Dec. 30 that male ROC nationals born after 1994 are exempt from one-year compulsory military service starting 2013. (CNA) |
TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan is thinking about expanding its compulsory armed forces service by four months, its protection preacher claimed on Wednesday, amid concerns about the self-ruled island's autonomous stress with China, which have actually been underscored by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Protection Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng claimed the government would certainly not quickly implement any adjustments, yet he assured to launch the outcomes of his interior study no matter what was made a decision. Any adjustments will just work a year after they are introduced and will certainly be made after consultation with legislators, he claimed.
"Currently we are still in the research study stage. This year we will absolutely get results," stated Chiu. Some in Taiwan have suggested 4 months of compulsory armed forces service should be much longer.
Over the last few years, China has actually stepped up its army harassment of the self-governing island, which China asserts as its very own, sending fighter jets flying into Taiwan on an almost everyday basis. Taiwan and also China split during a civil battle in 1949.
Lots of professionals have compared the Taiwan-China situation to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February. Nonetheless, the scenario does not fit the straightforward story, and specialists have up until now stated military action from China is not likely. The battle in Ukraine did trigger a legislator from Taiwan's judgment Democratic Progressive Event to publicly claim it was "essential" to prolong army service.
Russia's battle versus Ukraine has drawn sympathy in Taiwan, where the general public raised greater than $10.6 million in 5 days to assist fund Ukraine's refugee relief initiatives.
Taiwan has more than 215,000 participants in its armed forces, with the bulk volunteering. Taiwanese men over the age of 18 are called for to serve four months in the military.