Taiwan extends mandatory military service to one year amid China's aggression
Taipei (Taiwan), December 27: Taiwan has decided to increase mandatory military service for male citizens from four months to one year beginning in 2024, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced on Tuesday, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Tsai Ing-wen called it an "extremely difficult decision," emphasising that peace is dependent on national defence, which is dependent on the people of the country. She stated that conscript pay would be raised to minimum wage. Tsai Ing-wen announced that training would be expanded to include instruction on the use of Javelin antitank missiles and drones.
"This was an extremely difficult decision," Tsai Ing-wen said, adding, "Peace depends on national defence, and national defence depends on the whole population."
Six Chinese aircraft and ships were detected around Taiwan, according to the Taiwanese Defense Ministry. It went on to say that Taiwan's armed forces were monitoring the situation and had directed navy vessels and land-based missiles to respond to China's actions.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry tweeted, "6 PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected in our surrounding region by 6 a.m.(UTC 8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities."
Also Read | CBSE 2022: Practical datesheet released; check full schedule at cbse.gov.in
According to Taiwan's Defense Ministry, 71 Chinese air force planes and seven ships were spotted around Taiwan on Monday, with 47 military aircraft detected crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line. According to Taiwan, the incursions were carried out by aircraft such as 12 J-11, 6 J-10, 18 J-16, six SU-30, CH-4, WZ-7, Y-8 EW, Y-8 ESW and KJ-500.
In a tweet, Taiwan's Defense Ministry stated, "71 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected in our surrounding region by 6 a.m.(UTC 8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities."
Taiwan's Defense Ministry stated in another tweet, "47 of the detected aircraft (J-11*12, SU-30*6, CH-4 UCAV RECCE*1, J-10*6, J-16*18, Y-8 EW*1, Y-8 ASW*1, KJ-500*1, WZ-7 UAV RECCE*1) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated."
According to CNN, the Taiwan Defense Ministry's announcement comes after the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command announced on Sunday that it conducted joint combat readiness patrols and "strike drills" around Taiwan.
China made the announcement after US President Joe Biden signed a new defence bill into law, which included the establishment of a defence modernization programme for Taiwan in order to deter the Chinese offensive. Notably, tensions between China and Taiwan have risen following US House Representative Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory.
Also Read | Chandigarh: Meet Limca Book of Records holder Prince Mehra who has dedicated his life to birds
- ANI
