Taiwan Votes 2024: Longer military conscription sees rare consensus by presidential hopefuls, but youth concerns remain

Taiwan 's next batch of conscripts will serve mandatory military service for one year three times longer than status quo.

Longer conscription period for all males born on or after Jan 1, 2005 is part of Taiwan ’s “military force realignment plan” to strengthen national defence.

All three presidential hopefuls in Saturday 's presidential election support the move.

Conscription to be extended to one year, conscripts will spend more time in basic training eight weeks , up from five weeks .

During basic training, bayonet drills will be replaced by close combat training.

President Tsai has promised that recruits will fire 160 live rounds during boot camp, double the previous number.

Dr Shen said morale in Taiwan ’s navy and air force is likely to be higher compared to the army.

That is due to them carrying out more missions in response to regular incursions by Chinese military aircraft and ships.

Both Hou and Ko want to pursue deterrence, dialogue and de-escalation in cross-strait relations.