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Taiwanese military: Men have to serve longer
Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA
China is increasingly putting pressure on Taiwan, and the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense recently reported the largest border violation to date by the Chinese air force.
In view of this threat, Taiwan wants to position itself militarily better.
It has now been decided to extend military service.
President Tsai Ing-wen announced that Taiwanese men will have to do military service for 12 months instead of the current four.
The President also announced better pay for those doing military service.
"It's a difficult decision," Tsai said.
But as president, it is her responsibility to ensure Taiwan's survival.
China continues to undermine regional stability and threaten the democratic island republic.
China threatens conquest
The Chinese leadership regards Taiwan as part of the People's Republic and threatens to conquer it.
Tensions had escalated in recent months.
After the visit of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, in August, Beijing launched a large-scale military maneuver and has since maintained military pressure with increased deployments of warships and aircraft in the Taiwan Straits.
China held another major military exercise in the region last weekend.
It is a "resolute response" to "the current escalation and provocation" by the United States and Taiwan.
The US Congress passed the government's budget on Friday, which also includes new support for Taiwan.
More than 70 warplanes were used in the Chinese military exercise, according to the Taiwanese Defense Ministry.
47 of the planes entered the island's air surveillance zone (ADIZ), the ministry said.
Taipei said most of the planes crossed the "central line," which runs along the Taiwan Strait and separates Taiwan and China.
According to Taiwan's official news agency, it was the largest attack by the Chinese air force on the island claimed by the People's Republic.
ptz/dpa
