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During 1st defense inspection, Tsai vows 3 commitments to military

ROC Central News Agency

2016/05/29 17:43:29

Taipei, May 29 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Sunday that during her tenure, she will deliver on her three commitments to the military: elevate the dignity of military personnel, make a career in the armed forces an attractive career option, and lead the military into a new era.

"I will always bear those things in my mind," Tsai said as she spoke to soldiers and officers at Hualien Air Base.

The president flew to Hualien County in eastern Taiwan that day for an inspection visit to two air bases there. It was Tsai's first inspection of military troops since she was sworn in as the country's first female president on May 20.

She is also the first female commander in chief of the Republic of China military.

"The first thing in my mind is the dignity of soldiers," Tsai said, noting that military personnel represent the nation and the people hold them to a high standard.

Although the military had received some criticism in the past, "I believe that every challenge is an opportunity. With our joint efforts, the military will definitely continue to make progress," Tsai said while revealing that her first commitment to the military is to elevate the dignity of military personnel.

"I am the commander-in-chief. Beginning today, the honor and disgrace of the military is also my honor and disgrace. I will join with you, devoting every effort to letting the people have pride in the military," she said.

The second commitment she has pledged is to make a career in the armed forces a career option for talented youth.

The new government will do its utmost to improve the living conditions on military installations and the management of troops in an effort to attract young people to join the military, Tsai said.

She will also allow military personnel to acquire a second specialty apart from military skills, so that when they return to civilian life, they will be competitive professionals, she added.

The third commitment she will make for the military is to lead it into a new era through clear strategy guidance, careful policy planning, stable reform steps, comprehensive social communication and abundant resource support, Tsai noted.

Tsai took a special flight on Taiwan's "Air Force One" Boeing 737 aircraft for the Sunday trip to Hualien. She visited the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing at Hualien Air Base and adjoining Jiashan Air Base.

In her address, the president expressed her satisfaction with the performance of the officers and soldiers being stationed at the bases.

"I want to tell you all, as well as all people of the nation, that every day in the future, I will stand by the side of the military, promoting reforms and defending (our) home and country," Tsai said.

She further said that the Hualien and Jiashan bases play two important strategic roles for Taiwan's national defense.

First, they are Taiwan's most important bases for military exercises and training, Tsai said.

During her inspection, she saw everyone at the bases following the strictest of standards while fulfilling their duties in fields ranging from maintenance and repair of military aircraft to flight operations, she said.

Secondly, the Jiashan base is the most important place where Taiwan's combat capabilities are maintained, Tsai said, praising the military personnel there for having kept all equipment stored in an underground depot in their best operating condition.

Hualien Air Base is one of the crucial locations where the Air Force keeps its combat force. It is also the major target during the Air Force's annual tactical drill, code named "Tien Lung (Sky Dragon)."

As for Jiashan base, being the key hub of Taiwan's military combat force, it holds an important strategic position in the East Asian region.

According to the military, the base hosts flight and technical skill training programs in peacetime, while in the event of a war, it will be transformed into an air combat command center.

(By Sophia Yeh and Elizabeth Hsu)
ENDITEM/ke