Kicking off with a demonstration of combat skills by army special forces, the event continued with a flyover by F-16, Indigenous Defense Fighter and Mirage 2000-5 jets. It was followed by air-ground integrated operations featuring the aerobatic maneuvers of AH-1Q Super Cobra attack, AH-64E Apache, OH-58D reconnaissance and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
Senior government officials attending included Vice President Wu Den-yih, Premier Mao Chi-kuo and Minister of National Defense Kao Kuang-chi. The ambassadors of ROC diplomatic allies Kiribati and Palau were also present, as well as the representatives of such nations as Australia, Germany and South Korea.
The president also presented service medals to 127 veterans of the eight-year war in appreciation of their contributions. “As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the ROC’s victory in the Second Sino-Japanese War, it serves as an especially salient reminder of our military’s invaluable role in resisting Japanese aggression and securing the Allied victory in World War II,” Ma said.
“Led by former President Chiang Kai-shek, the nation’s often poorly equipped armed forces demonstrated immeasurable bravery in tying down 800,000 Japanese troops armed with the latest weapons. Such heroics enabled the Allies to counterattack and eventually prevail in the Asian and European theaters of World War II.”
More than 3.2 million service members lost their lives or were wounded in the eight-year conflict with the Japanese. “This sacrifice helped shape the proud tradition of honor permeating the ranks of the ROC armed forces today,” Ma said.
“The military plays a vital role in maintaining the nation’s sovereignty and security, laying rock-solid foundations for Taiwan to play the role of a peacekeeper in the Asia-Pacific.
“Backed by our robust defense capabilities, Taiwan has made significant headway over the last seven years in advancing cross-strait ties under the framework of the ROC Constitution, as well as the principles of no unification, no independence and no use of force,” he said, adding that regional partnerships have also advanced on the basis of such initiatives as his East China Sea Peace Initiative.
“I expect to see the nation move further along the path toward peace and prosperity on the back of national defense, improving cross-strait relations and expanding exchanges with our diplomatic allies and partners around the world.” (YHC-JSM)
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