Taiwan has revived its “anti-communist patriotic education” programme for military academy graduates, reflecting growing concern over Beijing’s efforts to infiltrate the island’s armed forces after a string of espionage cases involving service members.
The compulsory five-day course, held from July 1 for graduates of Taiwan’s eight military academies, restores the programme’s original name after a 24-year hiatus.
Introduced in 1965, the programme was renamed “patriotic education” in 2002 but has reverted to its original title as the military seeks to strengthen awareness of security threats from Beijing.
The defence ministry said the change was prompted by Beijing’s intensifying military pressure, “united front” activities and grey-zone operations.
“Newly commissioned officers need a clearer understanding of national security threats and of ‘why they fight and for whom they fight’,” the ministry said on Sunday.
United front activities are efforts to influence and build solidarity with members of the diaspora and their organisations to align them with the Communist Party’s goals.
