Days after China's military said it had conducted "strike drills" around Taiwanese sea and airspace, Taiwan announced its decision to extend the current four-month-long mandatory military service to a year. The longer service requirements will be implemented from 2024, reflecting the self-governing island nation's sense of urgency to bolster its defences amid China's ascending assertions for 'unification'.
China-Taiwan updates: The new drills come less than a fortnight after Beijing launched unprecedented war games in retaliation to US House Speaker Pelosi s visit to Taiwan, sparking fears of a Chinese invasion of the breakaway island.