《TAIPEI TIMES》 New military facilities a boost for troops: president

/ Staff writer, with CNA

New facilities inaugurated yesterday at an army base in Kaohsiung would provide “a better living environment” for military personnel based there, President Tsai Ing-wen （蔡英文） told a ceremony at the base in the city’s Renwu District （仁武）.

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However, Tsai did not comment on the government’s reported plans to extend the period of compulsory military service for men over the age of 18 from four months to one year.

The new facilities include a four-story building that is to replace a barracks that had become battered after years of use, the 8th Field Army said in a statement.

The new building has 153 dorm rooms that can each accommodate up to five people and also has office space, a canteen, a small library, a counseling room and a gym, the statement said.

Aside from the new building, an assembly area, a basketball court and a pond have also been added to the base, it said.

The new facilities, which cost NT$620 million （US$20.19 million）, are part of government plans to replace old facilities and improve the environment across Taiwan’s 103 military bases.

Tsai told the ceremony that the new multifunctional building and other facilities would provide “a better living environment” for the 43rd Artillery Command.

A better quality of life and sound training would enable troops to elevate their combat abilities, Tsai said, adding that seven of the 103 projects had been completed since the government launched the plan in 2017, with 78 others under construction.

She reiterated her commitment to taking care of military personnel while expressing hope that the military continues to demonstrate its resolve to safeguard the nation.

Tsai’s attendance at the Kaohsiung base came two days after the Presidential Office said that the president would convene with high-level officials next week to discuss plans to reform conscription, which supports Taiwan’s 160,000 volunteer troops.

Tsai did not respond when asked at the base about the government’s plans for changes to the conscription program.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES