President William Lai (賴清德) on Thursday last week announced 17 strategies to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s growing infiltration efforts against Taiwan, strengthening the public’s resolve to defend Taiwan and inspiring courage in veterans across the nation to safeguard the country.
Many veterans have openly shared their military ranks online. Unafraid of being doxxed or harassed, they boldly reveal their identities, discharge orders, full gear, rifles, military branches and expertise. Such individuals include marines, special forces, elite “frogmen,” members of the army, navy, air force, military police, chemical corps, communications and more — all sharing photographs from their military service years and reaffirming their unwavering determination to defend Taiwan.
Many alumni and current students left comments below these posts saying things such as “I am Taiwanese, I oppose communism,” and: “Hello, senior. Sergeant Chen reporting for duty.” One after another, they encouraged each other, ready to face this national crisis together.
It was at that moment that we veterans realized how many good friends we have surrounding us, all dedicated to protecting Taiwan. Female soldiers are not lagging behind, either — many women also posted online declaring their opposition to communism. Even women who have never served in the military left comments such as “I don’t know how to properly operate a weapon, but I oppose communism,” and “I’m willing to contribute.”
This fiery, anti-communist passion and sentiment are both powerful and unstoppable.
These veterans are our brothers and uncles, sisters and aunts — all who, during the most precious years of their youth, once served in the military to protect our country. Taiwan once had an army of 600,000 troops. While there are only 160,000 troops today, as long as our country is in need — and to protect the safety, wealth and property of our families, and safeguard our free and democratic way of life — we can form an army 1 million-strong at any time, assigning soldiers to various units required for combat missions across different branches of the military.
However, we often do not understand the origin of the stars the officers — who once led us and whom we served under, many of whom later advanced in rank to become generals — wear on their shoulders. Those stars were earned through the youth, blood, sweat and tears of the countless troops who helped build their careers. Everyone put in their best effort to fulfill their duties within their different roles and responsibilities — no one complained or felt they had been wronged.
However, many of the career soldiers who once constantly urged us to oppose communism and serve our country are now the first to side with the Chinese Communist Party. They have even threatened Taiwan’s young soldiers, saying that our military is unfit for battle and ridiculing new military recruits as being “strawberry soldiers” — soft and easily bruised.
Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) even said that, in the event of a war with China, the “first battle will be the last.” Such self-deprecating remarks are extremely disappointing, especially coming from someone who once served as president.
The youth of each generation possess their own unique skill sets to take on important tasks. The military of the past depended on physical strength, while today’s military depends on technology. In the old days, physical fitness and combat skills were critical, as warfare often involved face-to-face confrontation — thus, we veterans received solid physical training — but modern warfare relies heavily on information and weapons. Technological skills are essential, and the younger generation’s ability to operate technology is far superior to ours.
Faced with this mission to protect our nation, passionate veterans are willing to take a stand, joining forces with the younger generation to form an army of 1 million. With this tremendous determination and powerful momentum, they stand ready to deter Chinese thoughts about invading Taiwan by force.
Chen Chi-nung is a political commentator.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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