• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Peace cannot be earned by making concessions: President Tsai

ROC Central News Agency

2019/10/23 15:36:54

Taipei, Oct. 23 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Wednesday that freedom is earned through a cohesive will to defend the nation not concessions, at an event held to commemorate a battle seven decades ago that played an important role in the survival of the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan.

Tsai laid a wreath at a martyrs shrine on the offshore island of Kinmen, across from the Chinese City of Xiamen, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Guningtou.

"The Battle of Guningtou reminds us that freedom is not earned by making concessions, nor by bending the knee, but rather through a mighty defense capability and cohesive will," Tsai said.

Tsai, who is seeking reelection in 2020 and was attending the ceremony for the first time since taking office in May 2016, said the sacrifice of ROC soldiers made possible Taiwan's democracy, freedom and prosperity.

On Oct. 24, 1949, a 10,000-strong communist force left Xiamen in an assault against ROC forces in Kinmen, as part of a planned first step in an operation to take Taiwan.

The ROC forces defeated the communist forces in the four-day battle on the beachfront at Guningtou, a significant victory for the ROC that established a foundation from which to not only defend Kinmen but also the nearby Penghu Islands and Taiwan proper.

Taiwan should make known to the world its determination to defend its sovereignty, Tsai said, adding that she has pushed for the development of Taiwan's indigenous defense capability since assuming the presidency in 2016.

"Although we encountered difficulties along the way, we were able to overcome them. Over the past three years, we have reaped positive results in our indigenous fighter plane and battleship programs," she said.

Aside from the strengthening of defense capability, Tsai vowed to advance the welfare of the men and women in uniform, to demonstrate the support they have across the entire nation.

Tsai also said with every citizen making a contribution, the capability of the ROC Armed Forces will continue to grow and the world will see Taiwan's determination to defend its democracy, freedom and sovereignty, as well as its will to be a guardian of peace in the region.

The nation will not yield even one inch of territory or sovereignty to any aggressor, and will defend its hard won democracy and freedom, she said.

"No matter how difficult the road ahead, I will unite the nation and overcome all challenges," she said.

(By Matt Yu and Emerson Lim)
Enditem/AW