Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said Tuesday the island's mandatory four-month military service for men will be extended to one year from January 2024, as part of efforts to beef up its defense amid increasing military pressure from China.
The island democracy decided to transition from a conscription-based military during the government of Tsai's predecessor, President Ma Ying-jeou, who took a China-friendly position.
While the transition to a voluntary force occurred in 2018, men aged 18 and older were still required to serve for four months, leading to criticism that the relatively short service would not be useful in actual combat.
The latest extension will apply to those born in 2005 and later.
The change is said to have come at the request of the United States, which supplies the island with arms and spare parts to enable it to sustain sufficient self-defense capabilities.
Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification with the mainland, by force if necessary.
A recent public opinion survey showed 69 percent of respondents viewing the four-month mandatory military service as unreasonable, with 73 percent approving an extension to one year.
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