Taiwan’s security agency officials are discussing the possibility of employing foreign nationals to fight for Taiwan in the event of a conflict with China, according to KMT Legislator Chen Yeong-kang.
The retired admiral spoke with Radio Free Asia in December on the prospect of a Taiwan “foreign legion,” which could help supplement active-duty troops. He said the idea is in its initial stages and has not been approved by the government, per RFA.
The article discusses low enlistment, Taiwan’s flagging birthrate, and the costs associated with rapid recruitment and training, as reasons to consider forming a foreign legion. The report also notes there are more than 950,000 foreign residents in Taiwan and some might be willing to take up arms to defend Taiwan.
Chen said the US enlistment model for foreign residents was considered in these discussions. The US allows foreign permanent residents legally residing in the US to gain citizenship after serving for a set period.
Similarly, foreign soldiers in the French Foreign Legion can obtain citizenship after three years of service. In recent years, the Ukrainian military has welcomed foreign fighters from many corners of the globe, including volunteers from Taiwan.
While the prospect of a foreign legion may have been casually discussed, the government has not begun any formal deliberation on the issue, Chen confirmed.
Ben Goren of the Taiwan Policy Centre think tank, quoted in the RFA article, expressed doubt about the feasibility of a Taiwan Foreign Legion. He argued that, at present, the Taiwan government is unlikely to entertain such a prospect and would be better served by training a civilian militia.
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