On the eve of Armed Forces Day, Minister of National Defense Lee Jye (李傑) urged the Legislative Yuan to approve the government's budget of NT$618 billion for weapons procurements as soon as possible.
"Taiwan's national security can neither rely on enemies' goodwill nor foreign assistance," Lee said, adding, "defense capabilities need to be enhanced."
Lee made his remark during the annual ceremony for awarding outstanding military officials and soldiers. He said that since China is expanding its armaments across the Strait, Taiwan must aggressively purchase advanced weaponry so it does not end up on the down-side of the balance of power.
Lee said the US-made Patriot PAC-3 air defense system, the diesel-electric powered submarines and P-3C maritime patrol aircraft met Taiwan's strategic goals of self-defense and deterrence.
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had announced on Monday night during his state visit that the annual Han Kuang military drill, which was originally scheduled to take place on Sept. 9, would be canceled as a gesture of determination of his desire for peace. Media reports indicated that China also canceled its military exercise on Dongshan Island after withdrawing 3,000 troops.
Lee said that Chen's good intentions, however, reminded the military that to expect goodwill from an enemy is unrealistic.
"Those who intend to invade Taiwan as well as those who want to absorb the Republic of China -- they are our enemy," Lee said.
"We therefore hope that the entire country will support the approval of the military weapon procurement budget," he said.
Meanwhile, Chen said yesterday in a televised speech broadcast to mark Armed Forces Day on Sept. 3 that his administration will never compromise the country's sovereignty and dignity in its pursuit of better relations across the Taiwan Strait.
In his speech, Chen stressed that Taiwan has been an independent, sovereign nation since 1911 and China should not ignore this fact nor the status quo.
Chen said that he is determined to push for cross-strait reconciliation, cooperation and peace. Nevertheless, he also said his administration will never sacrifice Taiwan's national sovereignty, security and dignity in pursuing its policy goal of improving ties with mainland China.
In addition to its missile threat, Chen said, China has also stepped up its so-called "three warfares" -- psychological warfare, media warfare and legal warfare -- in an attempt to shake the military's morale, undermine local "psychological defenses," and forge a legal basis to invade Taiwan.
Chen was referring to Beijing's plan to enact its so-called "unification law" which would define Taiwan as a special "political area" of the People's Republic of China and thus provide a legal basis for Beijing to take the country by force.
Noting that his administration has on numerous occasions extended the olive branch to Beijing, Chen said he hopes Chinese leaders will respond to Taiwan's goodwill.
Chen reiterated that Taiwan has no intentions of engaging in an arms race with China. Nevertheless, he encouraged all military personnel to continue stepping up combat readiness.
"Combat preparedness is by no means tantamount to an arms race," Chen said. "Readiness is the best way to prevent a war. We must reinforce our equipment in order to protect our hard-won liberal democracy and social stability," the president said.
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