More than 100 reporters accompanied President Chen Shui-bian (
"Submarines are the most ideal weapons we can use during a combat situation in the Taiwan Strait. They are also a basic weapon for an island nation such as Taiwan to use to defend itself," Chen said.
Chen made his remarks at the navy's Mercury Port inside Tsoying's largest naval base, in Kaohsiung. The Mercury Port is an exclusive port for the country's four submarines, which include two US-made Guppy-class vessels and two Dutch-made Zwaardvis-class vessels.
CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES.
It was the president's second time aboard a submarine since he took office in 2000, but it was the first time that he led a group of reporters through a submarine joint military exercise.
Chen hopped in the SS-794 Sea Tiger while reporters were divided into two groups to go aboard the Lafayette-class frigate PFG-1207, the Wu Chang, and the SS-793 Sea Dragon, which also had Presidential Office Secretary-General Su Tseng-chang (
According to Captain Chou Yih-chun (周益群), the commanding officer of the SS-793, yesterday's exercise was participated in by two submarines, three frigates, one S-70C helicopter and one S-2T Turbo Tracker aircraft. During the exercise, the two submarines were opposed to the three frigates and two aircraft.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
According to the MND, the two submarines successfully destroyed the frigates using torpedoes in the simulated battle, and the entire action was processed on a computerized simulated program.
The distance between the SS-793 and SS-794, which were the focus of yesterday's exercise, was approximately 300m. Both submarines cruised at the speed of 18 knots and dived to reach a depth of 17.5m at a location which was approximately 8.8km away from Tsoying base.
Chou said that the Zwaardvis-class submarines are capable of diving to a depth of 240m.
In addition to the simulated naval battle, the two submarines also carried out an "emergency surface" to end the entire exercise.
During the exercise, the president suffered from minor sea sickness, but he still took the helm of the SS-794 and acted like a sailor for a few minutes.
The entire exercise lasted approximately two hours.
Due to concerns involving the safety of the president and the reporters, the navy canceled several items during yesterday's exercise. However, some politicians complained that the president was wasting public funds and leaking crucial military secrets by what he did yesterday.
In addition, crtics said, a small-scale military exercise like yesterday's would not help sailors in a real combat situation.
"There might be concerns that classified military information might be leaked," said Democratic Progressive Party Lawmaker Kuo Jung-tsung (
The navy also invited several female petty officers to board the submarines and frigates and participate in yesterday's exercise. However, it is still not permitted for female personnel to serve on a submarine.
"We do not have enough room inside a sub [for additional facilities for women] and may not be able to provide them with adequate privacy, either," said Wu Shang-fu (吳商福), a senior first class petty officer onboard the SS-793.
Also see story:
Taiwan is projected to lose a working-age population of about 6.67 million people in two waves of retirement in the coming years, as the nation confronts accelerating demographic decline and a shortage of younger workers to take their place, the Ministry of the Interior said. Taiwan experienced its largest baby boom between 1958 and 1966, when the population grew by 3.78 million, followed by a second surge of 2.89 million between 1976 and 1982, ministry data showed. In 2023, the first of those baby boom generations — those born in the late 1950s and early 1960s — began to enter retirement, triggering
ECONOMIC BOOST: Should the more than 23 million people eligible for the NT$10,000 handouts spend them the same way as in 2023, GDP could rise 0.5 percent, an official said Universal cash handouts of NT$10,000 (US$330) are to be disbursed late next month at the earliest — including to permanent residents and foreign residents married to Taiwanese — pending legislative approval, the Ministry of Finance said yesterday. The Executive Yuan yesterday approved the Special Act for Strengthening Economic, Social and National Security Resilience in Response to International Circumstances (因應國際情勢強化經濟社會及民生國安韌性特別條例). The NT$550 billion special budget includes NT$236 billion for the cash handouts, plus an additional NT$20 billion set aside as reserve funds, expected to be used to support industries. Handouts might begin one month after the bill is promulgated and would be completed within
The National Development Council (NDC) yesterday unveiled details of new regulations that ease restrictions on foreigners working or living in Taiwan, as part of a bid to attract skilled workers from abroad. The regulations, which could go into effect in the first quarter of next year, stem from amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法) passed by lawmakers on Aug. 29. Students categorized as “overseas compatriots” would be allowed to stay and work in Taiwan in the two years after their graduation without obtaining additional permits, doing away with the evaluation process that is currently required,
RELEASED: Ko emerged from a courthouse before about 700 supporters, describing his year in custody as a period of ‘suffering’ and vowed to ‘not surrender’ Former Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was released on NT$70 million (US$2.29 million) bail yesterday, bringing an end to his year-long incommunicado detention as he awaits trial on corruption charges. Under the conditions set by the Taipei District Court on Friday, Ko must remain at a registered address, wear a GPS-enabled ankle monitor and is prohibited from leaving the country. He is also barred from contacting codefendants or witnesses. After Ko’s wife, Peggy Chen (陳佩琪), posted bail, Ko was transported from the Taipei Detention Center to the Taipei District Court at 12:20pm, where he was fitted with the tracking
RSS