President Tsai Ing-wen said Aug. 31 that the government will boost military spending next year as part of an ongoing drive to upgrade the combat capabilities of the nation’s armed forces and advance reforms.
The military plays an invaluable role in safeguarding Taiwan and its people, Tsai said. It deserves the highest respect in society for helping maintain the conditions of peace and stability conducive to sustainable development and prosperity, she added.
According to the president, the importance of this function justifies the decision to allocate more funds in next year’s central government budget to the armed forces. Increased spending will be distributed over a number of key areas, including the provision of upgraded benefits for service members based in remote parts of Taiwan proper and outlying areas.
Tsai made the remarks during a medal conferring ceremony for 66 military personnel in the lead-up to Sept. 3 Armed Forces Day at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense in Zhongshan District, Taipei City. Drawn from the five branches of the Republic of China (Taiwan) military, the group of enlisted personnel and officers included a record seven servicewomen.
The president also commended the MND for raising the combat capabilities of the armed forces through enhanced training programs, renovated base infrastructure and upgraded equipment, as well as further developing Taiwan’s indigenous defense systems.
These efforts demonstrate that military reform is heading in the right direction, Tsai said, adding that the government is committed to seeing the process through so as to ensure the strength of the armed forces is optimal for its missions. (SFC-E)
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