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Taiwan army captain caught with ammo at Kaohsiung Airport
Discover the details of a Taiwanese army captain caught with ammunition at Kaohsiung International Airport, and the military’s response to enhance discipline.
2024/05/17 10:34
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Live-fire exercises enhance Taiwan’s military readiness
Discover how the 117th Army Infantry Brigade’s live-fire exercise in Kaohsiung’s Linyuan District is preparing Taiwanese troops for real-world combat, enhancing their responsiveness and tactical skills.
2024/05/08 17:11
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Taiwan’s defense minister vows to expand military counselors
Taiwan’s military vows to increase counselors amid rising suicides among personnel, with 16 cases reported in 2023 and 14 fatalities.
2024/04/26 10:37
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Taiwanese conscripts worry about salary gap despite raise
Taiwanese conscripts have expressed concerns that their monthly earnings still fall short of the country’s basic labor wage despite a recent salary increase. Privates, the lowest military rank, now receive a monthly salary of NT$26,307, including insurance and meal expenses. However, this amount is still lower than the standard basic labor wage of NT$27,470. Last year, President Tsai Ing-wen extended the mandatory conscription period to one year, and the wage adjustment for privates gained significant attention. Under the new system, privates can earn up to NT$20,320, consisting of a base wage of NT$10,130 and an additional NT$10,190 for specialized skills. In addition to their salary, they also receive military insurance (NT$1,240), national health insurance (NT$1,839), and a meal allowance (NT$908), bringing the total payment to NT$26,307. The first batch of 670 army conscripts for the one-year service started their eight-week entry training on January 25. Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an encouraged the privates to form sincere friendships, develop disciplined habits, and cultivate a sense of responsibility during their military life.
2024/01/25 15:11
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CSIS survey predicts potential Taiwan Strait crisis in 2024
A survey conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) suggests that a crisis similar to the large-scale military exercises China conducted near Taiwan in 1995-96 is likely to occur in 2024. The survey, conducted in late 2023, revealed that about 67% of American and 57% of Taiwanese scholars anticipate such a crisis. However, experts believe that China is currently unable to successfully invade Taiwan. Instead, they suggest that China may pursue actions of isolation or blockade against Taiwan within the next five years. The survey defines a "Taiwan Strait crisis" as a significant escalation of tensions accompanied by major People’s Liberation Army exercises aimed at intimidating Taiwan and reaffirming China’s threats of force. Factors contributing to these views include China’s reaction to Taiwan’s election results, negative assessments of U.S.-China relations, and the belief that the November meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not sufficiently stabilize relations to reduce the potential for a crisis.
2024/01/24 12:41
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Taiwan detects CCP military presence ahead of 2024 election
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND) has reported the detection of eight military aircraft and six naval vessels of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the past 24 hours. Additionally, an unidentified balloon crossed the Taiwan Strait median line. The MND denounced China’s activities, which consistently undermine regional stability, and expressed its commitment to maintaining peace and national security. The Republic of China Armed Forces will monitor and respond to CCP military and naval activities to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty. Despite interference from the Chinese PLA, the MND remains determined to uphold Taiwan’s state security and regional stability.
2024/01/07 12:14
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Taiwanese sergeant in coma after running collapse
A Taiwanese staff sergeant is in critical condition after losing signs of life while running during training. The Army Education, Training and Doctrine Development Command has dispatched senior officers to address the issue and has contacted the sergeant’s family. Despite receiving treatment at a hospital, the sergeant remains in a coma. The command is working closely with the hospital to provide the best medical care and will continue to prioritize the safety of other servicemen through winter health education and exercise risk management.
2023/12/27 16:30
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Taiwanese female soldier gains online admiration
A female soldier from the 6th Army Corps of the Guandu Area Command in Taipei has become an online sensation after photos of her smiling and attractive appearance were posted on the ’Beauty’ section of the PTT site. The post, shared on Dec. 7, has received numerous responses, with social media users praising her beauty and friendly demeanor. Some have even suggested that she could be the face of military recruitment ads. Comparisons to Japanese actress Chie Tanaka have also been made. Despite the traditionally masculine image of the military, more women have been serving in the Taiwanese armed forces in recent years, reflecting societal progress. The attention this female soldier has received highlights the increasing trend of women in the military.
2023/12/26 12:15
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Taiwan military sets new rules to counter Chinese drones
The Taiwanese Army (ROCA) has established three principles in defense against increased military drones from China. The Minister of National Defense, Chiu Kuo-cheng, stated that any violation indicates bad intentions, regardless of whether the drones crashed into water. The three principles, as reported by the media, involve troops prioritizing firearms use but considering the range for target shooting, assessing whether shot drones fell into water, and determining if ships were within a three-kilometer radius. Minister Chiu emphasized that these regulations are in place to ensure a clear understanding of how violations should be handled. Colonel Sun Li-fang, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of National Defense (MND), emphasized the urgency for the ROCA to respond swiftly upon detecting hostile behaviors from the opposing side.
2023/10/31 15:35
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Funeral service held for fallen Taiwanese soldier in Ukraine
A funeral service for the Taiwanese volunteer who died in November while fighting for Ukraine was held on Sunday (Dec. 4) in Hualien. Tseng Sheng-guang, a 25-year-old Indigenous Amis from Hualien, joined the Ukrainian Army as a volunteer and died on the battlefield in Lyman. Tseng was honored with the highest class of Contribution to Indigenous Peoples award for his sacrifice.
2022/12/06 12:05
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Taiwanese men open to military service extension
The extension of mandatory military service has been under discussion for some time in Taiwan. However, the government has yet to announce plans for the possible extension of the conscription system.
2022/11/12 07:59