Conscription in Taiwan

Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, has rules that require certain men to spend time working with the army. These rules are made and followed by the government of the Republic of China. For many years, all qualified male citizens of the right age had to spend one year on active duty or go through a shorter military training program.

A long time ago, during the early history of Taiwan, soldiers were people who chose to join the army. But things changed in January 1945 when Taiwan was still ruled by Japan. The leaders of Japan made many Taiwanese people join the army to fight in World War II. After Japan lost the war, the government of the Republic of China brought back the idea of required army time in December 1949. Back then, men had to serve between 2 and 3 years.

In more recent years, around the 2000s, leaders tried to change this so that people could choose to join the army. They made the time needed smaller, from 2 years in 2000 to just 1 year in 2008. They also started another option in 2000 where people could do important work that was not in the army, called alternative civilian service. By 2019, most army members were people who chose to be there.

But in 2022, leaders decided to bring back the rule that men must spend one year on active duty starting in January 2024. This change happened because of growing worries about safety near Taiwan.

History

Early years

Main article: History of Taiwan

Early leaders in Taiwan set up their own armies. They used local people and others to fill these armies with volunteers.

Japanese rule

Main articles: Taiwan under Japanese rule, Taiwan Army of Japan, Taiwanese Imperial Japan Serviceman, and Takasago Volunteers

See also: Second Sino-Japanese War, Pacific War, and World War II

When Japan was at war with China, they began to ask people from Taiwan to join the Japanese military. They created special groups for different groups of people. By 1945, they required everyone to join the military, but this stopped when Japan surrendered later that year.

After World War II

Main articles: History of Taiwan (1945–present) and Republic of China Armed Forces

See also: Chinese Civil War, Cold War, and Cross-Strait relations

After World War II, Taiwan was taken over by the Republic of China. They started required military service in 1949 to help protect against possible attacks. At first, men had to serve for two to three years, depending on which part of the military they joined. Rules were made to help prepare more leaders for the military.

Democratization

Taiwan began allowing more freedoms in the 1980s and 1990s. During this time, the time people had to serve in the military was reduced, from two years to just one year. More choices were also added for people who did not want to join the military, such as helping with safety and protection work.

Transition to all-volunteer military forces

In 2007, leaders said that if enough people wanted to join the military, the time required would be cut to 14 months. By 2009, they planned to only allow volunteers to join the military by 2014. Instead of serving for one year, people would only need to complete four months of training. However, these plans changed, and required service was cut to four months in 2013. The last group required to serve was released in 2018.

Resumption of active duty conscription

See also: People's Republic of China–United States relations and Political status of Taiwan

Because of growing concerns about military threats, in 2022, leaders decided to bring back required service for one year starting in 2024. This was done to help protect against possible attacks.

Statutory framework

Military service is a duty for citizens, as stated in Article 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of China: "The people shall have the duty of performing military service in accordance with law." The Act of Military Service System (兵役法)) and the Enforcement Act of Act of Military Service System (兵役法施行法) explain the country's military service rules and how conscription works in Taiwan.

The conscription process is managed by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of National Defense. The National Conscription Agency was set up under the Ministry of the Interior in 2002 to oversee conscription in Taiwan.

Types of military service

In Taiwan, boys turn 18 on January 1st after their birthday and must register for the military. They need to check their health and then can choose different ways to serve their country.

After serving, men join the military reserve. Some men finish when they turn 36, but others serve until they are 50. In 2023, a special program helped businesses earn about US$3.19 billion each year.

Draft process

In Taiwan, the process of joining the military has four main steps. First, young men meet with local officials to talk about their education and skills, usually around their 19th birthday. They can ask to delay service if they qualify, or they can choose other types of service.

Next, they have a health check at a hospital to see if they are strong enough for military work. Then, those who are healthy pick cards to find out which part of the military they will join, like the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines. Finally, they start basic training and begin their time in the military.