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Taiwan¡¦s defense at a
crossroads
By Eric Chiou ªô«³§»
Taiwan¡¦s national defense is at a crossroads, as several major internal and
external challenges impact the country¡¦s security and defense capabilities.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of National Defense released the latest version
of the National Defense Report, which pointed out that China has been developing
its high-end weapons and will be capable of launching a full-scale attack on
Taiwan by 2020.
While China has been enhancing its military preparedness, Taiwan¡¦s national
defense budget, in contrast, has been continuously shrinking and has rarely
reached the benchmark figure of 3 percent of total GDP promised by President Ma
Ying-jeou (°¨^¤E) in 2008. Undoubtedly, the balance of military power in the
Taiwan Strait has swung markedly in China¡¦s favor. With US forces in East Asia
likely to be impacted by Washington¡¦s financial troubles, the military imbalance
between Taiwan and China looks destined to worsen in the years to come.
While Taiwan¡¦s overall external strategic environment has become weaker than
ever, internally, military morale has plunged amid an unprecedented crisis of
trust. After the death in controversial circumstances of army corporal Hung
Chung-chiu (¬x¥ò¥C), the defense ministry has suffered a devastating loss of public
faith. This tragedy not only triggered the largest civil protest in recent
years, but also ruthlessly revealed the long-standing problems of undisciplined
management, a culture of bullying and inappropriate training practices in the
army.
The image of the armed forces has been seriously tarnished and the protests
reflect mounting rage and deep-seated distrust toward the military. Coupled with
a series of spying scandals involving high-ranking Taiwanese military officers
in recent years, all indications suggest that national defense has silently
slipped into a crisis.
Challenges to the nation¡¦s security come from various directions. Externally,
the strategic environment in East Asia has experienced a dramatic power
realignment in recent years. First and foremost, China¡¦s rapid military buildup
and the relative decline of US power in Asia have significantly disrupted
regional stability. Despite repeated assertions of its pivot-to-Asia by the
administration of US President Barack Obama, the reality regarding its fiscal
quandary and political stalemate over government spending has already alarmed
many and cast doubt on the credibility of US commitments in Asia.
Compared with declining US power, China¡¦s growing military assertiveness has
stirred a sense of insecurity in many Asian countries. For instance, after his
success in re-energizing Japan¡¦s economy with his so-called ¡§Abenomics¡¨
policies, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is bolstering his nation¡¦s defense
capabilities. Japan is moving toward closer cooperation with the US to enhance
military deterrence against threats from North Korea and China.
The Philippines, one of the claimants challenging China over territory in the
South China Sea, has also reinforced its military capability in recent years,
with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III determined to modernize its
military forces. Not only has he won congressional support to spend US$1.7
billion to upgrade the Philippine military over the next five years, Manila is
also actively seeking to purchase fighter jets and two frigates.
Meanwhile, it has ordered 10 coast guard ships from Japan and three more vessels
from France. Needless to say, Manila has revived military relations with the US,
while strengthening military cooperation with Japan, ostensibly in the name of
counter-piracy operations.
In comparison with neighboring states that have become more aware of Beijing¡¦s
military intentions and taken various measures to counter China¡¦s rising power,
Taiwan seems to have moved in completely the opposite direction. By adopting a
conciliatory policy, Taiwan has strived to make peace with Beijing and make
money from closer bilateral ties. As a result, people in Taiwan see that the
government is eager to facilitate a closer economic relationship with China by
concluding various economic treaties, which are likely to make Taiwan¡¦s
disproportionately unilateral economic dependence on China even worse.
Predictably, as cross-strait economic exchanges intensify, the importance of
national security is expected to fall further down the list of national
priorities. Hence, one should not be surprised to see lax discipline and falling
morale in the military in the years to come.
Taiwan¡¦s national defense faces several critical challenges. The first is an
insufficient defense budget and unbalanced expenditure structure. For years, the
defense budget has not reached a reasonable level, which holds up the purchase
of new weapons and the development of advanced technologies. Furthermore, a
disproportionate portion of the budget is used to pay military personnel, which
crowds out important military programs and modernization efforts.
Second, a shortage of military personnel may emerge in the near future, which
will further weaken capabilities. Despite the impending deadline for
implementing an all-volunteer military, it remains difficult for the defense
ministry to attract sufficient numbers of young recruits. If this situation
cannot be improved, we may see more and more private security guards hired by
the military to carry out patrolling duties in the future.
Moreover, existing military management seems problematic and desperately needs
to be revamped. Certain old-school and inappropriate military cultures appear to
nurture and rationalize unhealthy practices among troops. Corruption, cheating,
bullying, and inappropriate training seem to be rampant and out of control. If
the military cannot undertake comprehensive reforms to eradicate such practices
and restore its reputation, the embarrassing situation of the defense ministry
being besieged by protesters will be repeated.
Finally, the most critical challenge facing the military is the crisis of
national identity. A significant number of middle to high-ranking military
officers are perplexed about the new role of the military and have a hard time
adjusting to the reality of Taiwan¡¦s pluralistic democracy.
Undeniably, the military has been the most conservative and closest group in
Taiwanese society. Although the majority of service personnel have great pride
in their duty to defend Taiwan, others have serious issues about national
identity and question the cause they may have to fight for and defend.
Coupled with recent downsizing of military personnel numbers and a trimmed-down
pension program, many officers feel frustrated and aggrieved about their years
of sacrifice. Hence, some have taken early retirement and embarked on other
careers, which may significantly undermine the foundation of military and, even
worse, could lead to more military secrets being leaked to China.
National defense will be in jeopardy if decisionmakers cannot point out a clear
direction for Taiwan¡¦s national security. It is critical for policymakers and
politicians to bear in mind that strength is the best bargaining chip in
international negotiations. National defense capabilities comprise one of the
most essential components of national strength, which is particularly vital for
a small state like Taiwan.
Therefore, national security and national defense should never be underrated and
traded for short-term economic interests. Although some politicians boast that
the past few years have been the most peaceful and successful period in the
development of cross-strait relations, Taiwan¡¦s security seems to be gradually
eroding and moving toward a dangerous situation.
For far-sighted and prudent leaders, peace provides a golden window of
opportunity to enhance national defense capabilities and conduct necessary
military reforms to be better prepared for unpredictable threats in the future.
It is naive to believe that peace can be achieved by the weak.
Political leadership plays a crucial role in boosting military morale, arousing
military honor and restoring the military¡¦s reputation. The vision,
determination and concrete action of political leaders to support the military
are key to preventing national security and national defense from suffering
further degradation. Only with robust and formidable military forces as the
backbone of the state can Taiwan be confident of its ability to preserve its
democracy and way of life, and its ability to defend national interests in
possible political engagements with China.
Eric Chiou is an assistant professor at National Chiao Tung University.
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