The level of preparedness and spirit demonstrated by the troops is impressive, Ma said. There is no doubt that the garrison is helping maintain a robust national defense and stands ready to provide disaster assistance and relief, he added.
Ma made the remarks while visiting Matsu, located less than a kilometer from the mainland Chinese coast, on the eve of the annual Dragon Boat Festival to express the people’s appreciation for the selfless sacrifices of the soldiers.
Reflecting on the 90th anniversary of ROC Military Academy, also known as Whampoa Military Academy, Ma said the nation’s armed forces have played an instrumental role in protecting and advancing the development of Taiwan.
While this role remains integral, the mission has been updated to address Taiwan’s most urgent needs, the president said, adding that the nation needs a strong, highly effective military capable of responding to any scenario whether in a cross-strait or regional setting.
According to Ma, building a volunteer force is a core component of the government’s defense and deterrence strategy. This approach addresses the issue of military readiness, which is challenged by a high turnover of personnel under the conscription system, he said.
Although the government is moving toward a volunteer force, this does not mean the end of conscription, the president said. Under the Constitution, male citizens must perform national service for periods of four months and bolster the nation’s military capabilities in times of need, he added.
Separately, Ma inspected a recently discovered mural in Matsu’s Nangan Township. Featuring a giant map of the U.S. with cowboys in the Midwest and grass-skirted dancing girls in Hawaii, the artwork was left by members of the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group 53 years ago.
The mural, uncovered by an ROC army logistics unit during base renovations, serves as a reminder of long-standing bilateral military cooperation, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the U.S., Ma said.
It is expected that the two nations will continue their close partnership going forward via the common values of democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law, he added. (YHC-JSM)
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