MND considers troop cuts as ties with China improve

The MND is studying a plan to greatly reduce the island's 275,000 troop numbers over the next four years, with an exact number yet to be decided, ministry spokeswoman Lisa Chih said. Local media said troops could be cut to about 180,000.

“Relations with China will definitely factor into our plans,” Chih said.

“It is part of the defense forces' restructuring, taking into consideration the new types of warfare, mainland relations and other external factors,” Chih said.

The troop cut is also in keeping with President Ma Ying-jeou's promises to gradually replace the current draft system with voluntary forces, she said.

China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949 and China still claims the island as part of its own territory, to be unified by force if necessary. Both sides have built up arsenals to prepare for a possible military conflict.

But since taking office last May, Ma has moved aggressively to ease tensions with China by pushing for closer economic cooperation. He has also proposed to build a mutual trust mechanism with the Chinese military and eventually sign a peace treaty.

“This is another example of demilitarization by Ma Ying-jeou,” said Wendell Minnick, Asia bureau chief with Defense News. “It's another olive branch to China.”

Since Ma took office, once annual live-fire military exercises have also been scaled back to once every two years, and the military's annual budget has been cut by 8 percent.

China, for its part, has hinted at scaling back what Taiwan estimates as 1,300 short-range and mid-range missiles aimed at the island, military sources say.

The pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been skeptical of Ma's initiatives, fearing Taiwan is letting down its defense against its old rival.

“We question whether the troop cut is goodwill gesture to China to help with the peace treaty,” said DPP lawmaker Ker Chien-ming.

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