Military celebrates 60th anniversary of founding of Marines

Marines demonstrate hand-to-hand combat skills during an exhibition in Kaohsiung yesterday marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of Taiwan's marine corps. PHOTO: CHANG CHUNG-YI, TAIPEI TIMES

The Marine corps celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding yesterday with an array of military performances by Marine personnel at its base in Tsoying (左營), Kaohsiung City.

Female showed off their skills in breaking ice blocks and wood boards with their bare hands and a special forces unit demonstrated parachute jumping. The Marines also invited the army's senior paratroopers to perform at the event.

Applauding marines' skills, discipline and hardwork, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) expressed the hope that the Marines would become the country's most elite military force and top democracy defender.

"The Marines' job is unique. They must help the navy and army at times of war and share some of the military police's duties as well," Chen said. "I expect the Marines to become a tough unit in protecting our democracy."

Chen the remarks yesterday morning while inspecting the base, accompanied by Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) and Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄).