President Attends Tri-Service and Eight Academies Graduation Ceremony, Urges Officers and Soldiers to Establish Awareness of Friend vs. Foe and Defend the Nation

(CNA reporter You Kai-hsiang, Taipei, June 30) President Lai Ching-te attended the graduation ceremony of the Tri-Service and Eight Academies today, stating that in the face of China's military actions around the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities and cooperate with democratic allies to exert deterrence, achieving peace through strength. The armed forces must establish a clear awareness of friend versus foe, uphold the principle that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, resist threats and temptations, and defend national sovereignty and security.

The joint graduation ceremony for the Tri-Service and Eight Academies in the 115th year of the Republic of China was held this morning at the Fuxinggang Campus of the National Defense University, with President Lai in attendance.

In his address, the President stated that in the face of continuous military actions, gray zone intrusions, and various complex threats and challenges posed by China to surrounding countries in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and South China Sea, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities and work closely with democratic allies, shoulder to shoulder, to exert deterrence and achieve the goal of "achieving peace through strength."

The President said that the government will always be the most solid backing for the armed forces. It will continuously increase defense investment, build a "Shield of Taiwan" through external procurement, international cooperation, and the promotion of independent defense industry development, and provide the armed forces with the most advanced weapons and equipment, gradually establishing an intelligent and sustainable defense force, while continuously improving the treatment and care of the armed forces.

President Lai pointed out that in the past 10 years, the government has increased the salaries of the armed forces four times, completed 23 adjustments to allowances, and actively promoted the replacement of military equipment and the renovation of old military housing to care for the rights and interests of the armed forces. Regarding military insurance and parental leave allowances, laws will continue to be amended and systems improved to allow the armed forces to perform their duties with peace of mind and their families to live without worries.

The President offered three exhortations to the graduates: First, firmly uphold democratic beliefs and loyally defend the nation. The honor of a soldier comes from loyalty to the country, adherence to duty, and commitment to the people. In the face of various threats, challenges, and China's various infiltration, division, sabotage, and espionage activities against the armed forces, it is imperative to establish a clear awareness of friend versus foe, oppose communism and annexation, firmly adhere to the values of democracy and freedom, insist that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and resist all threats and temptations in order to defend the nation's sovereignty and security.

President Lai stated that second, cultivate innovative thinking and refine professional capabilities. Graduation from military academy is not the end of learning, but a new starting point for entering the military and practicing what has been learned. It is hoped that graduates will continue to acquire new knowledge, especially in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, they must cultivate innovative thinking and cross-disciplinary integration capabilities. Not only should they bravely accept challenges, but they should also broaden their international horizons, refine their leadership, and become professional officers who lead the new era of the armed forces with broad vision.

President Lai pointed out that third, bravely assume responsibility and safeguard democracy and peace. What the graduates bear is not only the mission of their units but also the noble responsibility of safeguarding democracy and peace. The pursuit of peace must never come at the cost of sacrificing national sovereignty or restricting the democratic freedoms of the people. Please always defend cross-strait peace with uncompromising determination and become the most reliable force for the nation and the people with iron-like will and combat power.

President Lai said that national security comes from the professionalism, discipline, and dedication of the armed forces. As the Commander-in-Chief, he will ensure that the armed forces have better equipment, better training, and better care, and that they receive the greater respect they deserve from society. Starting today, graduates bear greater expectations from the nation and the people. It is hoped that everyone will not forget their original intentions, meet challenges with honor, courage, and responsibility, and let the glory of the armed forces and the development of the nation be passed down from generation to generation for eternal brilliance. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150630)

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