TAIPEI — “I panicked when I ran out of bullets and had to reload,” said a high school student who participated in a shooting class.
Taiwan, which is under growing pressure from China over unification, has extended the period of military service imposed on those aged 18 or older from four months to one year starting this year. The island will hold its once-in-four-years presidential election on Jan. 13.
With the future of China-Taiwan relations hanging in the balance, Nikkei spoke with high school students who will have to undergo the extended military service, as well as startups preparing for drone attacks and young farmers affected by China’s ban since 2021 on Taiwanese pineapple imports.
