Taiwanese star Chen Bolin and 11 others were charged Friday as part of an investigation into military draft dodgers.

Taiwan faces the threat of invasion by China, which claims the democratic island is part of its territory, and Taipei has struggled to recruit and retain troops.

Military service has been mandatory for men aged 18 and over for decades, but the obligatory period has changed under different governments. It is currently one year.

Deferment can be granted for higher education, although all men are required to serve by the time they turn 36.

Two of the defendants allegedly helped the others fake their blood pressure results by holding their breath or arranging for others to take the test for them, the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office said in a statement.

Chen, 42, and

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