The defense ministry is working to strengthen Taiwan’s reserve forces in the face of the military threat from China.
President Tsai Ing-wen visited the Armed Forces Reserve Command in late June. During her visit, she announced that the government will push for reform so that reserve soldiers can play a greater role and support active duty servicemen.
Speaking at the Legislature on Tuesday, Defense Minister Yen De-fa said the reserve forces are divided into three strata: volunteers, conscripts who served one year, and those who served four months.
Yen said the defense ministry has already mapped out a reform plan. Yen said the number of conscripts who served one year has dropped from 690,000 to 470,000. To strengthen Taiwan’s defenses, Yen said they will be a priority, along with volunteer soldiers.