Taiwan outlines 'major challenge' for military

Taiwan's military is failing to meet its recruitment targets, with the issue likely to become a "Major challenge" to its defense capabilities in the future, the interior ministry has warned. The situation in Taiwan's professional military is no bette; the report notes that in March its recruitment drive fell nearly 15% short of its target. While falling birthrates are a common problem in the region, Taiwan has the distinction of having one of the world's lowest. The document comes at a time when Taiwan is trying to beef up its army fearing a potential attack from Beijing. Taiwan has governed itself since nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek fled to the island in 1949, after they lost in the civil war to the Communists. Relations between mainland China and Taiwan have deteriorated dramatically over the past year. Beijing held large-scale military drills near the island following the controversial visit of US House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi in August.