台灣永續發展和生存
President Tsai Ing-wen announced on December 27 that Taiwan’s mandatory military service will be extended from four months to one year, effective January 1, 2024.
蔡英文總統於12月27日宣布，台灣義務兵役將從2024年1月1日起從四個月延長至一年。
mandatory (adj.)強制的effective(adj.)（法律或法規）生效
The decision comes amid growing tensions with China.
此決定是基於與中國關係日益緊張。
President Tsai noted that bolstering the armed forces is central to the nation protecting itself against Beijing’s “authoritarian expansion.”
蔡總統表示加強軍力十分重要，能保護台灣不受北京「威權主義擴張」影響。
bolster (v.)提高、改善be central to sth. 對……來說很重要authoritarian (adj.)專制的、威權的、獨裁主義的an authoritarian government 獨裁政府、an authoritarian regime 獨裁政權
Under the newly announced plan, conscripts with birthdays on January 1, 2005 or later will “receive more intense and longer boot camp training.”
根據新公布的計畫，在2005年1月1日當天和之後出生的役男將「接受強度更高的且時間更長的新兵訓練」。
conscript (n.)徵召入伍者、役男 (v.)徵召入伍
This rigorous regime will also involve more advanced training elements from the US and other militaries, including the use of the most up-to-date weapons, like FIM-92 Stinger missiles, as well as drones—both of which have proven more effective in modern warfare.
此嚴格的新訓還有來自美國和他國軍隊更先進的訓練內容，包括使用最新的武器，像是FIM-92刺針飛彈，以及無人機──兩者都是在現代戰爭中有效用運的武器。
rigorous (adj.)嚴格的up-to-date (adj.)現在的、最新的missile (n.)飛彈、導彈stinger (n.)昆蟲或動物身上的刺warfare (n.)戰爭
The size of the military has shrunk dramatically since the early 1990s, when Taiwanese men over the age of 18 faced compulsory military service of up to three years.
軍隊規模從1990年代初期開始大幅縮減，那時台灣年滿18歲的男性面臨長達3年的義務兵役。
shrink-shrank-shrunk (v.)縮小、變小
President Tsai noted that the extension of service was a difficult decision, but one that was necessary to make “for the sustainable development and survival of Taiwan.”
蔡總統提到延長兵役是困難的決定，但「為了台灣永續發展和生存」是必要的。
However, along with increased training, Tsai also announced that conscripts will see a huge starting salary increase from NT$6,510 per month to NT$26,307 in January 2024.
然而，隨著訓練的增加，蔡總統也宣布役男起薪將有大幅調升，自2024年1月起從一個月6,510元新台幣提升至26,307元新台幣。
Following China’s stepped-up military drills around Taiwan since August, including one of the biggest incursions of 71 Chinese aircraft on December 26, President Tsai’s announcement is a concrete step toward strengthening “Taiwan`s combat readiness against potential Chinese attacks.”
中國自八月份起增強台灣附近軍演，包括12月26日當天派出71架共機，為規模最大的侵台事件之一，蔡總統的宣布實質上朝增強「台灣對中國潛在攻擊的戰備」更進一步。
stepped-up (adj.)強度增加的drill (n.)演習、演練fire drill 火災演習incursion (n.)侵略、侵襲