Government of Taiwan delays plans to end conscription

The government of Taiwan has again post-poned plans to end conscription, because 'recruitment targets could not be met'. The Taiwanese military had originally planned to end conscription for those born after 1 January 1994 on the 1st January 2016, but this will now be moved back until at least the end of the year. The government delayed plans to move to an 'all volunteer' military in September 2013.

The Taiwanese military is likely to conscript over 23,000 people next year, and the government has been heavily criticised for the decision to postpone the end of conscription - moving to a 'volunteer military' was considered an important election promise of President Ma Ying-jeou.

For more information, see:

Tapai Times, 'All-volunteer military plans postponed', August 2015 http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2015/08/27/2003626274

The China Post, 'Defense Ministry cancels plan to end conscription' , August 2015, http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2015/08/26/444237/Defense-Ministry.htm