The legislature yesterday inaugurated the Taiwan Parliamentary All-out Defense Committee in an effort to increase defense awareness among the public.
The committee was initiated by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀), who was appointed its head.
By inviting civic groups, academics and businesspeople to serve as advisers, the committee aims to connect the public, businesses, government and academia in policy discussions to raise defense awareness among Taiwanese.
Photo: Peter Lo, Taipei Times
Representatives to Taiwan and legislators were invited to the launch ceremony yesterday.
Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Deputy Representative Akira Yokochi gave a speech in Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwanese), expressing his admiration for Taiwanese’s determination to safeguard their nation.
The crowd gave Yokochi a standing ovation when he reiterated former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe’s remark that “a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency.”
Singaporean Representative to Taiwan Yip Wei Kiat (葉偉傑) said that the establishment of the committee is “an important milestone,” which shows that the nation places considerable importance on defense.
Polish Office in Taipei Director Cyryl Kozaczewski listed some of Taiwan’s biggest advantages, including its world-leading semiconductor industry, education and culture, and — most importantly — democracy, which is “an effective tool to bring a stable life to its people.”
Czech Representative to Taiwan David Steinke said that improving the tenacity of democracy is more important in today’s world as democratic societies can easily be subjected to harassment from the outside due to their openness.
Lin said that legislators have the responsibility to be the bridge between the central and local governments, as well as the government and the public.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has been bolstering the nation’s self-defense capabilities since she took office in 2016, she said, adding that Taiwanese have been inspired by Ukrainians’ bravery in defending their nation since Russia’s invasion in February.
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), who is to serve as honorary chairman of the committee, said that it is the most important secondary unit ever established by the Legislative Yuan.
The committee has members from all eight legislative standing committees, which shows that everyone greatly values national defense, he said.
Building a national defense system includes developing military might in a traditional sense, as well as the ability to defend against cognitive warfare, Ker said, adding that the system covers aspects such as resilience during war, disaster prevention, medical care, and maintaining water and electricity supplies.
“Only the best national defense system enables the pursuit of ultimate peace, in which Taiwan would take a more active role on the global stage,” he said.
DPP Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文), who is to serve as secretary-general of the committee, said that the committee connects the “black bear warriors,” or local militia units, and the Ministry of National Defense’s All-out Defense Mobilization Agency, translating civil initiatives into policies, budgets or bills.
“National defense is not only the soldier’s responsibility, but also the responsibility of local representatives and supervisory authorities,” Kuo said.
Legislative Yuan Secretary-General Lin Jih-jia (林志嘉) congratulated the committee on behalf of Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫?), saying that Taiwan “must respond” to the mounting military threat posed by China.
MAKING WAVES: China’s maritime militia could become a nontraditional threat in war, clogging up shipping lanes to prevent US or Japanese intervention, a report said About 1,900 Chinese ships flying flags of convenience and fishing vessels that participated in China’s military exercises around Taiwan last month and in January have been listed for monitoring, Coast Guard Administration (CGA) Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin (謝慶欽) said yesterday. Following amendments to the Commercial Port Act (商港法) and the Law of Ships (船舶法) last month, the CGA can designate possible berthing areas or deny ports of call for vessels suspected of loitering around areas where undersea cables can be accessed, Oceans Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said. The list of suspected ships, originally 300, had risen to about 1,900 as
Japan’s strategic alliance with the US would collapse if Tokyo were to turn away from a conflict in Taiwan, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said yesterday, but distanced herself from previous comments that suggested a possible military response in such an event. Takaichi expressed her latest views on a nationally broadcast TV program late on Monday, where an opposition party leader criticized her for igniting tensions with China with the earlier remarks. Ties between Japan and China have sunk to the worst level in years after Takaichi said in November that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could bring about a Japanese
The WHO ignored early COVID-19 warnings from Taiwan, US Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill said on Friday, as part of justification for Washington withdrawing from the global health body. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said that the US was pulling out of the UN agency, as it failed to fulfill its responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO “ignored early COVID warnings from Taiwan in 2019 by pretending Taiwan did not exist, O’Neill wrote on X on Friday, Taiwan time. “It ignored rigorous science and promoted lockdowns.” The US will “continue international coordination on infectious
DEEP-STRIKE CAPABILITY: The scenario simulated a PLA drill that turned into an assault on Taiwan’s critical infrastructure, with the launchers providing fire support Taiwan yesterday conducted this year’s first military exercises at Longsiang Base in Taichung, demonstrating the newly acquired High Mobility Artillery Rocket System’s (HIMARS) ability to provide fire support and deep-strike capabilities. The scenario simulated an attack on Penghu County, with HIMARS trucks immediately rolling into designated launch areas and firing barrages at the Wangan (望安) and Cimei (七美) islands, simulating the provision of fire support against invading forces. The HIMARS are supposed to “fire and leave,” which would significantly increase personnel and equipment survivability, a military official said. The drill simulated an exercise launched by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern
RSS