Taiwan Restores ‘Anti-Communist’ Military Classes Amid Rising Security Threat from China

TAIPEI: Taiwan has reinstated formal “anti-communist” patriotic education classes for graduates of its military academies after a gap of nearly 25 years, citing increasing military and infiltration threats from China, the Ministry of National Defense announced on Sunday.

The ministry said the decision was taken in response to the evolving security environment and the need to strengthen military personnel’s understanding of national defense and security challenges. The courses, which had been discontinued in 2002 and renamed simply as “patriotic education,” have now been restored under their original framework.

According to the ministry, the programme is designed to help military graduates better understand the threats facing Taiwan and reinforce their sense of mission by emphasizing “why we fight, and for whom we fight.” Officials said the revised curriculum reflects the growing military pressure and alleged infiltration activities attributed to China.

The lectures will be delivered by senior officials and experts from key government institutions, including the Mainland Affairs Council, the National Security Council, the Ministry of Justice, and the government-affiliated research institution Academia Sinica.

The move comes as Taiwanese officials continue to report increased Chinese military activity around the island, including a rise in the presence of Chinese naval vessels. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has repeatedly asserted that it reserves the right to use force to bring the island under its control. China’s Ministry of National Defense did not immediately comment on Taiwan’s latest announcement.

Taiwan has in recent years intensified efforts to bolster its defense capabilities and military preparedness amid heightened cross-strait tensions and growing concerns over regional security.