Military service term to be shortened

Starting next July, the time for compulsory military service in Taiwan will be shortened from 16 months to 14 months. The plan is to shorten compulsory service further to only 12 months by the end of 2007 or beginning of 2008.

This has been a campaign issue since at least 2004, when Lien Chan promised he'd end compulsory military service if elected.

The DPP responded in 2004 by saying they wanted to end compulsory service, but it would require a phrased reduction in the compulsory service and structural changes to ensure a functioning military would still exist.