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 Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
UNILATERAL MOVES: Officials have raised concerns that Beijing could try to exert economic control over Kinmen in a key development plan next year The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) yesterday said that China has so far failed to provide any information about a new airport expected to open next year that is less than 10km from a Taiwanese airport, raising flight safety concerns. Xiamen Xiangan International Airport is only about 3km at its closest point from the islands in Kinmen County — the scene of on-off fighting during the Cold War — and construction work can be seen and heard clearly from the Taiwan side. In a written statement sent to Reuters, the CAA said that airports close to each other need detailed advanced
WEATHER Typhoon forming: CWA A tropical depression is expected to form into a typhoon as early as today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the storm’s path remains uncertain. Before the weekend, it would move toward the Philippines, the agency said. Some time around Monday next week, it might reach a turning point, either veering north toward waters east of Taiwan or continuing westward across the Philippines, the CWA said. Meanwhile, the eye of Typhoon Kalmaegi was 1,310km south-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, as of 2am yesterday, it said. The storm is forecast to move through central
RSS