President Ma Ying-jeou says the government will continue moving towards an all-volunteer military system. Ma was speaking Monday while receiving visiting Paraguayan Defense Minister Bernardino Soto Estigarribia.
Ma said that cross-strait relations are at their best since the two sides split 66 years ago. But Ma also said that China remains a threat to Taiwan, especially with a defense budget that has been rising by more than 10% every year.
The president said Taiwan must strengthen its military preparedness, and that an all-volunteer military system is the key.
“An all-volunteer system wouldn’t need as many conscripts as a draft-based one. We must upgrade the quality of the armed forces so that soldiers will view their jobs as careers," said Ma. "Only by doing so will they have a stronger motivation to do a good job. We believe that a volunteer military force can strengthen defense capabilities, make better use of manpower and reduce social costs.”
Ma said while Taiwan is a peacemaker in the international community, a small but agile military will help prevent an outbreak of war.