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China is a threat and opportunity: Ma

China represents both a threat and an opportunity to Taiwan, and it is a major goal for the nation to strengthen economic ties with China and maximize the opportunities, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday.

“China remains the biggest threat to Taiwan’s security, but [it is] also an opportunity in [terms of the] economy. A wise leader with foresight should minimize the threat while maximizing the opportunity,” Ma said yesterday while addressing the joint graduation ceremony of five military schools in Kaohsiung County.

It marked the first time that Ma has presided over the graduation ceremony for the country’s five military schools — including the Air Force Academy, the Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the National Defense University and the National Defense Management College — as the president and commander in chief.

PREPARATION

Ma said his administration would continue to support purchasing defensive weapons and maintain a “small yet strong” armed force in the face of military threats from China.

“Although direct flights will begin this weekend, there are still more than a thousand Chinese missiles pointing at us,” Ma said. “We need to be well-prepared to defend ourselves.”

“Some of you may wonder whether China is our friend or foe. What you should do is to help us build a strong military force and be prepared for war,” the president said.

“Only by being prepared for war can we prevent it. Taiwan will not seek war, but we will not avoid or fear wars, either,” he said.

Ma said Taiwan would seek to sign a peace agreement with China, while continuing economic exchanges with the country.

The president later led more than 600 graduates in reading military directives, a tradition that had been suspended in 2003 under the Democratic Progressive Party government.

FOREIGN GRADUATES

A total of 669 students graduated from the five academies yesterday.

Among the graduates were two students from El Salvador. They have now completed their stay at the Naval Academy and the ROC Military Academy and will return home today.

Ensign Daniel Lino and Second Lieutenant Ricardo Siliezar were classmates in the same military academy before they came to Taiwan.

They were selected to study in Taiwan by the El Salvadoran government when they finished their sophomore years. Mandarin is now their second language.

“I had a hard time when I first arrived because I did not know any Chinese. But things are totally different now because my Chinese teacher and my classmates helped me a lot,” Siliezar said. “I would love to return to Taiwan for graduate school in the future if I have a chance.”

Also see: Sources reinforce US role in arms sales Also see: Ministry defends cadets reciting army directives
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