Taiwan begins extended conscription in response to China threat

The first batch of new recruits began their one-year compulsory military service in Taiwan on Thursday after the conscription period was extended from four months due to government concerns about China’s rising military threat.

President Tsai Ing-wen announced the extension in late 2022.

China has ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan to assert its sovereignty claims, including almost daily Chinese air force missions near the island over the past four years.