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MND to create safer global environment for Taiwan: officials

ROC Central News Agency

2008-05-12 18:09:23

    Taipei, May 12 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday released its 2008 National Defense Report, with MND Vice Minister Lieutenant General Lin Yu-pao pledging to create a safer and more stable international environment for Taiwan through "reliable national defense."

    Speaking at a press conference, Lin said the biennial report, the ninth since it was first published in 1992, seeks to heighten public awareness of the MND's plans and policies. "Through this publication, we at the MND hope that everyone will better understand, trust and support Taiwan's national defense direction," Lin said.

    Lin stated that China's massive expansion of national power and military strength in recent years has "severely threatened regional peace." He expressed the hope that the latest report will "help Taiwan win the trust of its people and allies and create a safer and more stable international environment for the nation."

    Lieutenant General Tung Hsiang-lung, director of the Department of Strategic Planning at the MND and one of the key authors of the report, said it is divided into four parts -- Meeting the Challenges, Creating Opportunities, Enhancing Combat Capability, and All-out Defense.

    In the first part of the report, issues regarding the global situation, Asia-Pacific security and China's military strength are examined, while the second section discusses Taiwan's values, defense policy, and the MND's military strategy, Tung explained.

    The third part of the 2008 National Defense Report deals with Taiwan's national defense organization, military strength and national defense resources, Tung said. Part four focuses on national defense education in Taiwan and defense mobilization, he added.

    When asked why the MND had published the report just a few days prior to the change of government on May 20, Tung stressed that the reports "mainly presents the achievements (of the MND) in the past two years" and has no political connotations.

    Lin also explained the timing of the report, saying that the MND had a duty to inform the public about its work. "We're responsible for the policies we implemented in the past two years and must provide the public with a complete and comprehensive report," Lin.

    According to military spokesperson Lisa Chi, Taiwan's national defense goal is to "safeguard the survival and development of the Republic of China on Taiwan and the security and welfare of all its people."

(By Howard Lin)

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