National Defense 結果共188筆

Legislative Speaker You Si-kun met with a Lithuanian delegation led by Matas Maldeikis, chairman of the Lithuania-Taiwan parliamentary friendship group. The meeting highlighted Taiwan’s recent election, which had a voter turnout of over 70%, as a clear message from the Taiwanese people to defend democratic freedom and national sovereignty. The delegation included three deputy speakers of the Lithuanian parliament and eight other cross-party lawmakers. Speaker You noted that 2024 is a ＂super election year＂ globally, with Taiwan being the second country to hold elections this year. He also expressed his wishes for Lithuania’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in May and October 2024. The speaker emphasized that elections represent the ＂possibility of choice,＂ ＂freedom to participate in politics,＂ and ＂protection of speech,＂ which are rights unfathomable under authoritarian rule. He called on global democratic allies to unite in facing authoritarian challenges and safeguarding democracy and prosperity worldwide. Speaker You expressed gratitude for Lithuania’s support and highlighted the countries’ cooperation on humanitarian aid, particularly in helping Ukrainian students return to school.

Amid escalating tensions with China, Taiwan has launched critical military exercises in Pingtung, demonstrating its commitment to national defense. The drills come in response to increased Chinese military activities, including a breach of Taiwan’s defense perimeter by the PLA.

China’s Ministry of National Defense spokesperson, Wu Qian, dismisses the record number of balloons released into Taiwan’s airspace as meaningless hype and denies military involvement. Wu lambasts the actions of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities as a tactic to provoke cross-strait confrontation, claiming it is destined to fail. He reiterates that Taiwan’s election is China’s local affairs and that the DPP cannot represent the mainstream public opinion on the island. Wu firmly asserts that Taiwan is a part of China and that the international community adheres to the one-China principle. He declares that the sovereignty and territory of China have never been divided and that Taiwan’s legal status as part of China’s territory has never changed. Wu emphasizes that Taiwan will never be a country, Taiwan independence is not possible, and external forces’ plot to split China will never succeed. He pledges that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity as a ＂Great Wall of Steel.＂

The first batch of recruits in Taiwan reported to Hsinchu County’s Litoushan Camp in Xinpu Township on Thursday (Jan. 25). The 206 Brigade’s Battalion 4 received 304 new recruits from the northern region, who will undergo an eight-week training program. The military restored its previous one-year conscription in line with the ＂Strengthening National Defense Force Structure Adjustment Plan.＂ The training curriculum is divided into four stages, focusing on core values, fitness, rifle shooting, combat coaching, and weapon handling. All new soldiers underwent health screening and inspections upon arrival, including drug-sniffer dogs. Additionally, the recruits had their heads shaved after receiving their uniforms.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) Army Command Headquarters announces the extension of compulsory service to one year. Newly enlisted soldiers will undergo an eight-week training in recruit centers throughout northern, central, and southern Taiwan. The training program consists of four phases, focusing on core military values, physical fitness, combat skills, rifle shooting, and combat coaching. The final assessment includes physical combat skills, rifle shooting proficiency, and comprehensive combat coaching.

The first group of conscripts for the one-year compulsory military service in Taipei enlisted on January 25. These 670 young men will undergo an eight-week enlistment training. The extension of mandatory military service, approved by President Tsai Ing-wen last year, has posed emotional challenges for many young couples. Girlfriends accompanied their conscripted boyfriends to the Department of Compulsory Military Service’s Alternative Service Center, offering encouragement and expressing hope that military service would help their partners overcome bad habits and become more responsible. Despite the year-long separation, conscripts expressed faith in their relationships, although they couldn’t help but worry about the lack of constant communication. Various girlfriends reassured their worried boyfriends, saying, ＂Don’t worry!＂ The Ministry of National Defense stated that the decision to extend mandatory service was influenced by changing international situations, authoritarianism, defense combat needs, and the intensity of the four-month military training. It was also based on a comparative study of conscription systems in other countries.

Taipei (TVBS News) - The Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that four People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft violated the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) between Wednesday and Thursday morning. A total of 18 PLAAF aircraft and six PLAN vessels were detected around Taiwan during this period. The Republic of China Armed Forces responded by monitoring these violations with Combat Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems. Additionally, the MND noted the presence of three Chinese balloons near Taiwan, floating at elevations between 13,000 and 24,000 feet. One balloon was located 72 nautical miles west of Keelung. The first balloon was detected at 5:57 a.m. on Wednesday, at a height of 24,000 feet, disappearing by 6:32 a.m. Another balloon was spotted at 3:11 p.m., at a height of 13,000 feet, disappearing by 3:57 p.m. The third balloon was seen at 3:30 p.m. at a height of 18,000 feet, disappearing by 4:14 p.m.

The spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command accuses the US military of maliciously destroying regional peace and stability through provocative actions. This comes after the US Navy destroyer John Finn sailed through the Taiwan Strait. The PLA deployed troops to closely monitor the warship’s movements and expressed discontent over US provocations. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense assures the public that the situation is normal and they were fully aware of the warship’s activities. The US Navy states that the traverse through the Taiwan Strait upholds the principle of freedom of navigation for all nations and emphasizes the importance of not surrendering rights and liberties. Tensions in the region are escalating due to increasing US naval activities and China’s claim over Taiwan.

A U.S. warship, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Finn, sailed south through the Taiwan Strait on January 24. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed that Taiwan’s military maintained control of the surrounding maritime and air domains during the passage. The U.S. Navy stated that the transit occurred outside the territorial seas of any coastal nations, highlighting the U.S.’s commitment to freedom of navigation. Taiwan’s MND issued a press release reconfirming the U.S. warship’s activity, emphasizing that the situation was normal.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that two Chinese balloons were detected crossing the Taiwan Strait median line within the previous 24 hours, with one passing over Taiwan. The balloons’ transit began on Tuesday morning, with one located 90 nautical miles west of Keelung and the other spotted 113 nautical miles west of Pingtung. Alongside the balloons, Taiwanese forces also observed seven Chinese aircraft and five naval vessels operating continuously in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait during the same period. The Republic of China Armed Forces closely monitored and responded to the situation using mission aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems. This announcement by the MND highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and comes at a time of increased cross-strait tension.

A survey conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) reveals that only 26% of U.S. experts and 17% of Taiwanese experts believe that China has the military capability to carry out a ＂joint island landing operation＂ within the next five years. The study, which surveyed 52 U.S. experts and 35 Taiwanese experts, found that most agreed that China lacks the ability to effectively implement a joint maritime, land, and air invasion of Taiwan. However, 90% of U.S. experts and 62% of Taiwanese experts believe that China could isolate or blockade Taiwan in the next five years, primarily as a commercial action. This action would be conducted by China’s Coast Guard or other law enforcement vessels, not its military. Additionally, 80% of U.S. experts and 60% of Taiwanese experts believe that China could implement a blockade of Taiwan, which would involve both commercial and military activities led by China’s military. Taiwanese experts generally had a more conservative viewpoint on China’s execution abilities compared to their American counterparts when it came to perceived threats from mainland China.

Taiwan’s National Defense Ministry (MND) reported the detection of four Chinese aircraft and six Chinese balloons in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait within a 24-hour period. The balloons were found soaring between 15,000 and 27,000 feet, with one detected just 57 nautical miles west of Keelung City. The MND also identified activities involving four Communist vessels in the Taiwan Strait. The Republic of China Armed Forces closely monitored and responded to these activities using mission aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems. The military emphasized the constantly changing threat landscape faced by Taiwan, with China’s cognition warfare accompanying its military actions to affect Taiwan’s security. Continual refinement of public announcements is seen as imperative to avoid enemy influence.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has detected 11 aircraft crossing the median line of the strait within a 24-hour period. The Republic of China Armed Forces are closely monitoring these aircraft, along with 24 other aircraft and five vessels engaged in activities around the Taiwan Strait. Some of the aircraft have exceeded the median line and entered Taiwan’s airspace. The closest distances to Taiwan were approximately 42 nautical miles from Keelung in the north and 85 nautical miles from Cape Eluanbi in the south. The MND highlights the changing security environment and threat model faced by Taiwan, asserting that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is using cognitive warfare and military actions to impact Taiwan. The MND emphasizes the need to constantly adjust the mode of disclosure to avoid being influenced by the enemy. The Republic of China Armed Forces are employing aircraft, vessels, and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor and prepare for response scenarios.

The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan has announced new training assessment rules for recruits, emphasizing strict criteria to qualify for additional allowances and professional certificates. This comes as Taiwan extends its mandatory military service to one year, with enhanced training activities including realistic military drills.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has announced that new draftees in Taiwan can now apply for specialist positions based on their skills and certifications during their sixth week of training. Alternatively, they can choose to serve in the main combat units voluntarily. Draftees who do not participate in the expertise selection will have the opportunity to choose their service unit in the seventh week through a lottery system. The MND plans to draft 9,127 men in 2024, with the army responsible for training 7,514 of them. The recruits will be assigned to guard units based on their household registration, with a total of 12 echelons. After completing their training, the conscripted men will be distributed to guard units on the home or outer islands closest to their registered residence, or they may opt to serve in the primary combat unit according to their preference. The first batch of recruits, consisting of 670 men, will begin training on January 25 under the supervision of the 206th Brigade in Northern Taiwan, the 302nd Brigade in the Central region, and the 203rd Brigade in the South. The training is expected to last for eight weeks.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) of Taiwan has announced that the first group of 650 conscription men will receive their individual combat gear on March 22 after completing basic training. The MND has allocated a budget of NT＄4.04 billion for the ＂Xing’an project＂ from 2022 to 2024, which aims to improve the living conditions and quality of life for officers and soldiers. The conscripts will promptly receive their complete battle gear after basic training to carry out various combat training tasks. Sizing for the gear was conducted during the first week of conscription, with distribution scheduled for a week before graduation or before March 22. The MND’s comprehensive distribution of new style combat outfits, which has been ongoing for five years, includes 15 items such as tactical helmets, vests, and shock-absorbing elbow and knee guards.

The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND) has reported the detection of eight military aircraft and six naval vessels of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the past 24 hours. Additionally, an unidentified balloon crossed the Taiwan Strait median line. The MND denounced China’s activities, which consistently undermine regional stability, and expressed its commitment to maintaining peace and national security. The Republic of China Armed Forces will monitor and respond to CCP military and naval activities to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty. Despite interference from the Chinese PLA, the MND remains determined to uphold Taiwan’s state security and regional stability.

U.S. National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, affirms American support for Taiwan’s democracy and urges parties outside Taiwan not to interfere with its democratic process. This comes after Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported detecting three balloons from the Chinese Communist Party crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Following the incident, there were multiple incursions by Chinese aircraft and vessels observed in the area. The Taiwanese military will take appropriate measures based on the nature and potential hazard of the balloons. Although Kirby couldn’t verify the balloon reports, he reiterates U.S. support for Taiwan’s democracy and looks forward to free, fair, and transparent elections. He also warns against any external force attempting to interfere with the Taiwanese elections and urges parties outside Taiwan not to meddle with its democratic process.

Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, emphasized in an exclusive interview with CNN that Taiwan is a democratic nation and that the majority of its people wish to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Wu discussed various topics, including the significance of Taiwan’s presidential elections for its democratic growth, national defense, Indo-Pacific conditions, and Taiwan-India relations. He highlighted President Tsai Ing-wen’s commitment to upholding the political status quo, which has gained international recognition. Wu also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as Taiwan produces 90% of the world’s semiconductor chips. He addressed the military threats from mainland China, stating that Taiwan is striving to enhance its defense capacities to deter aggression. Additionally, Wu expressed hopes to strengthen the connection between Taiwan and India in integrating their semiconductor supply chains through talent cultivation.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) detected four Chinese military aircraft and three naval vessels operating near the Taiwan Strait, days before the presidential election. Two Chinese balloons were also tracked, with one entering Taiwan’s western airspace northwest of Chiayi, and another spotted northwest of Keelung. The balloons disappeared from radar after crossing the median line. The MND’s flight track map shows that one balloon floated over Taiwan from west to east before disappearing over the Pacific Ocean. The other balloon, named ＂Air Police 500,＂ flew into Taiwan’s southwestern air defense identification zone (ADIZ) from China’s coastal airspace. These balloons were likely used for collecting meteorological data and were different from the Chinese spy balloons that flew over the U.S. last year. It is inferred that these floating balloons might have been released by an unknown Chinese entity, as Taiwan has previously found balloons released by China for weather research. Promptly disclosing the movements of Chinese balloons is emphasized to raise public awareness regarding safety measures and counter potential preemptive messaging from China. The national military is currently monitoring the situation and has developed a responsive plan, according to the MND.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported the tracking of two Chinese balloons, one of which directly crossed over Taiwan’s main island. The balloons were detected at different times, with one located approximately 55 nautical miles northwest of Chiayi and the other about 71 nautical miles northwest of Keelung. Both balloons reached altitudes of around 30,000 and 32,000 feet before disappearing. In addition, the MND observed four Chinese military aircraft and three naval vessels in the Taiwan Strait over a 24-hour period, including one military plane that breached the southwest air zone. The MND also detected a Shaanxi KJ-500 early warning aircraft entering Taiwan’s southwest Air Defense Identification Zone from the Chinese coastal area. The Taiwanese MND assured that they are closely monitoring and responding to the situation using mission aircraft, naval vessels, and shoreline missile systems.

In this story, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential nominee Lai Ching-te criticizes the outdated policy views of Kuomintang’s (KMT) presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, during a presidential debate. Lai emphasizes the need for abandoning outdated policies and upgrading past efforts to comprehend and master the rapidly changing world. He outlines his policy principles, including boosting national projects, enhancing defense, economic and democratic ties, and maintaining dignified, equal cooperation with China. Lai believes that the 2024 presidential election will determine whether Taiwan aligns with democracies or authoritarian entities, and he highlights that voting for him and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim is the only option to continue collaborating with democratic allies.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has clarified that the presence of Chinese aerial balloons in Taiwanese airspace this year is not related to any election activities. The MND spokesperson, Major General Sun Li-fang, explained that the frequency of these balloons is due to the prevailing northeast monsoon winds from October through February. The MND views the increasing number of balloons as potential reconnaissance tools and will respond accordingly to their encroachment within 24 nautical miles of Taiwanese airspace. The MND maintains administrative neutrality regarding elections and is coordinating with national security teams to counter Chinese misinformation efforts. Any potentially misleading Chinese activities will be publicized by the MND to safeguard citizen morale.

The Ministry of National Defense detected eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and five PLA vessels operating around the Taiwan Strait from Dec. 25 to Dec. 26. Three aircraft, including a Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft, a Y-8 tactical reconnaissance aircraft, and a KJ-500 airborne early warning & control aircraft, entered Taiwan’s southwestern air defense identification zone. Additionally, a PLA balloon was detected crossing the strait median line and reaching northwest of Keelung before vanishing. The ministry utilized CAP Aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to monitor and respond to these activities.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense expresses optimism for stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait region, emphasizing its global significance. The ministry views all measures conducive to peace and stability positively. This follows a video conference between the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman and his Chinese counterpart, discussing global and regional security issues.