All men aged 18 and over in Taiwan are required to complete a period of military service. The term used to be four months, but under the reform which took effect on January 1, the period would be extended to a full year.
Taiwan's current president Tsai Ing-wen says the change, which she announced in December of 2022, was necessary amid growing military pressure from China.
Family views extension as crucial for national security
Eighteen-year-old Wang Yu-che is one of the first people to be directly impacted by the change, and he says he supports the government's decision. He says the change is necessary to protect his home and believes military service is his duty as a Taiwanese man.
He will be following in his father's footsteps. Wang Ming-yung served two years in the military police and also supports the longer conscription. He says Taiwan must have a certain amount of military power.
A mother stops supporting the ruling party
But the policy change also has its detractors.
Lai Wei-ying has also just reached conscription age. He dreams of becoming an engineer and says he would rather spend a year studying and seeing friends than serving in the military. He views the longer conscription as a waste of valuable time.
Lai's mother agrees. Teng Yu-chia used to be a supporter of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, but has changed her mind because of the extended military service. She now plans to vote against the party.
Teng says Taipei should focus on improving ties with China, because if Taiwan-China relations deteriorate, their children will have to go to war and she, like every mother, is worried.
