President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday awarded Chief of General Staff Admiral Lee Hsi-ming (李喜明), who plans to retire after nearly 50 years of service, the Order of Resplendent Banner with Special Grand Cordon at the Presidential Office in Taipei.
Tsai thanked Lee on behalf of all Taiwanese for dedicating himself to safeguarding the nation since joining the military in 1970.
Tsai said she believes that Taiwanese agree that a strong national defense is the only way to guarantee national sovereignty and the values of democracy and freedom.
As Beijing continues to expand its military capabilities, Taiwan must develop its ability to wage asymmetric warfare to deter the threat posed by China’s military, she said.
In doing so, the nation would not only ensure safety in the Taiwan Strait, but also contribute peace in the region, she added.
In April 2017, Lee became chief of general staff and worked with others to carry out an overall defense concept and improve military exercises and the preparedness of joint operations, she said.
Lee was given the military order in recognition of his efforts to enhance the military’s overall capabilities, Tsai added.
In a few days, Lee is to retire, she said, adding that she would remember the contributions made to the nation and society by each senior military officer who has retired.
Tsai also thanked Lee’s wife, saying that because of her support, Lee has been able to protect the nation and Taiwanese without reservation.
Calling it a mission that Lee “must fulfill,” Tsai said that he should exchange leading military personnel to various locations with taking care of his family and traveling with them.
Tsai concluded her speech by wishing the distinguished officer success in his retirement.
Yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense announced that six officers, including Major General Lu Kun-hsiu (呂坤修), would be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, and 13 officers, including Colonel Wang Kuo-liang (王國樑), would be promoted to the rank of major general.
The appointments — routine promotions of general officers approved by the president — are to take effect on Monday, the ministry said.
With only 19 promotions, this is the smallest batch in the past few years, the ministry said, adding that a promotion ceremony would be held at 9am today at the Armed Forces Officers’ Club in Taipei.
Minister of National Defense Yen De-fa (嚴德發) is to preside over the promotion ceremony, which is to be attended by the president, high-ranking military officers and family members of the promoted officers, the ministry added.
Additional reporting by Aaron Tu
Three batches of banana sauce imported from the Philippines were intercepted at the border after they were found to contain the banned industrial dye Orange G, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said yesterday. From today through Sept. 2 next year, all seasoning sauces from the Philippines are to be subject to the FDA’s strictest border inspection, meaning 100 percent testing for illegal dyes before entry is allowed, it said in a statement. Orange G is an industrial coloring agent that is not permitted for food use in Taiwan or internationally, said Cheng Wei-chih (鄭維智), head of the FDA’s Northern Center for
LOOKING NORTH: The base would enhance the military’s awareness of activities in the Bashi Channel, which China Coast Guard ships have been frequenting, an expert said The Philippine Navy on Thursday last week inaugurated a forward operating base in the country’s northern most province of Batanes, which at 185km from Taiwan would be strategically important in a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait. The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Northern Luzon Command Commander Lieutenant General Fernyl Buca as saying that the base in Mahatao would bolster the country’s northern defenses and response capabilities. The base is also a response to the “irregular presence this month of armed” of China Coast Guard vessels frequenting the Bashi Channel in the Luzon Strait just south of Taiwan, the paper reported, citing a
UNDER PRESSURE: The report cited numerous events that have happened this year to show increased coercion from China, such as military drills and legal threats The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aims to reinforce its “one China” principle and the idea that Taiwan belongs to the People’s Republic of China by hosting celebratory events this year for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the “retrocession” of Taiwan and the establishment of the UN, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said in its latest report to the Legislative Yuan. Taking advantage of the significant anniversaries, Chinese officials are attempting to assert China’s sovereignty over Taiwan through interviews with international news media and cross-strait exchange events, the report said. Beijing intends to reinforce its “one China” principle
A total lunar eclipse, an astronomical event often referred to as a “blood moon,” would be visible to sky watchers in Taiwan starting just before midnight on Sunday night, the Taipei Astronomical Museum said. The phenomenon is also called “blood moon” due to the reddish-orange hue it takes on as the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, completely blocking direct sunlight from reaching the lunar surface. The only light is refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere, and its red wavelengths are bent toward the moon, illuminating it in a dramatic crimson light. Describing the event as the most important astronomical phenomenon
RSS