The United States on Tuesday welcomed the conscription reform announced by Taiwan’s government earlier that day, saying the move demonstrates the country is committed to self-defense and enhancing deterrence.

“We welcome Taiwan’s recent announcement on conscription reform, which underscores Taiwan’s commitment to self-defense and strengthens deterrence,” the spokesperson of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei, said in a post on the organization’s Facebook page.

The U.S. will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining sufficient self-defense capability in line with the country’s commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act and its one China policy, the AIT spokesperson said via the post.

“The United States’ commitment to Taiwan and steps Taiwan takes to enhance its self-defense capabilities contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region,” the AIT spokesperson added.

Taiwan’s conscription reform was announced by President Tsai Ing-wen (???) at a press event earlier Tuesday, which included an extension of mandatory military service from four months to one year starting in 2024, structural reform of the military and reinforcing reserve and civil defense units.

As China’s military expansion continues to disrupt the international order, threaten regional peace and stability, and undermine cross-strait relations, Taiwan faces ever-increasing military coercion from Beijing, especially after the military exercises Beijing staged around Taiwan in August, Tsai said.

Taiwan needs to strengthen its self-defense capabilities in order to better ensure national security and interests and to win support from the international community, Tsai said.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel