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The Taiwanese authorities are accelerating the modernization and reform of their armed forces, particularly to deal with an increasingly aggressive and unpredictable Chinese threat, as the head of Taiwan’s diplomacy points out.
The khaki cap is screwed onto the head. Under the visor the view looks into the distance. The arms are crossed, in the posture of a spectator. He stands ready and eagerly awaits the new recruits. The soldier sits on a street corner in Taipei, on a large poster hanging on the facade of a building not far from the Taiwanese presidential office. The army is recruiting. It is looking for “new talents” for its “national armed forces” and is “waiting for candidates,” trumpets the poster with huge symbols jumping from the wall to appeal to the streets.
The Armed Forces Recruiting Center is in operation. Taiwan has begun seriously strengthening its troops. “War is certainly not imminent or inevitable, but the threat is very real, so we must prepare for it,” said Joseph Wu, Taiwan’s foreign minister, during a meeting with the foreign press in Taipei and the moment China is increasing pressure at sea and in the air. And is increasingly undermining the status quo surrounding Taiwan, which is preparing for presidential elections