China has been building up its military in recent years and has not given up the idea of swallowing up Taiwan, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday at the joint graduation ceremony for five military academies of the three branches of the military.
Chen said that those in the military should not speculate like ordinary civilians about whether China would attack Taiwan.
"So long as China does not renounce its attempt to use force against Taiwan, all service members should prepare for the worst and should never ease combat preparedness," Chen said as he addressed the graduates and their families.
"Amid calls to improve relations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, I need to remind everyone that national security is a matter of life and death," he said.
With its growing economic strength, Chen said, "China has substantially increased its annual military budget and introduced advanced arsenals despite the fact that its People's Liberation Army is already the world's largest standing army with 2.5 million active personnel. We should not overlook its military expansion."
Since his inauguration, Chen said he has spared no efforts to push for rapprochement across the Taiwan Strait. But unless China reduces its military threat, Chen said, Taiwan's armed forces should stay alert and continue perfecting combat techniques.
Chen also urged members of the armed forces to transcend partisan, regional and ethnic prejudices when performing their duties.
"Otherwise, our armed forces will be unable to forge the unity and consensus necessary to fulfill their duties of safeguarding national security," he said.
With the progress in Taiwan's democratization, Chen said, the armed forces have been nationalized and now play a pivotal role in maintaining social stability and security.
Over recent decades, he continued, all service members have contributed much to deterring invasion and defending national security. He encouraged the new graduates to uphold the military's glorious tradition and dedicate themselves to serving the country.
Chen further said all service members should maintain political neutrality and abide by the ROC Constitution and laws in carrying out their duties.
"National security cannot rely on romantic fantasy. We need to build a deterrent force to ensure the country's real eternal peace," he said.
Vice President Annette Lu (
The flouting of this regulation was portrayed in the Chinese-language media yesterday as a indication of improved relations between Chen and Lu.
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