Although the Chinese Communists have once again asserted that they want to peacefully resolve the China question, in actuality they have never discarded their plans for a military invasion of Taiwan. The government of the Republic of China, in order to maintain the security of Taiwan and its affiliated territories, for many years has been strengthening its armed forces to discourage any attempted Communist aggression against this base of national recovery.
An army is a symbol of a nation's military might. A nation without military power is like a person who has renounced self-defense, at any time its existence could be seriously threatened. Therefore, if a country maintains an adequate military deterrent, no enemy would dare to invade. If a country has considerable military power, it can prevent a war from ever occurring.
Looking at our relations with the Chinese Communists over the last 30 years, we have fought with them at Kuning Tou, Kinmen, Tatan, and over the Taiwan Straits. The reason we have been able to repel each and every attack is because of the strength of our defenses.
Today, although the Communists are using the smoke screen of "peace" to lure us off guard and break down our will, we understand this is nothing more than another one of their insidious tricks. We will not be fooled.
To boost the morale of the elite armed forces of the Republic of China, every year on Sept. 3, Armed Forces Day, 37 units are chosen from the army, navy, air force, combined service forces, garrison forces, and military police as Chu Kuang units. This is one of the greatest honors a military unit can receive.
This year one of the units chosen was a parachute management company. Liao An-tao, commander of the company, said troops under his command are skilled in the inspection, folding, maintenance, and repair of parachutes. Last year, his unit handled more than 10,000 parachutes without one accident. Not only that, they have cut the time needed to fold a parachute in half, an invaluable asset in war time.
Of the three units cited for Chu Kuang honors in the air force, one was the Self-reliance Squadron. The Self-reliance Squadron is comprised of 18 F5E jet fighters paid for totally with money donated by the general public after the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations.
Lt. Col. Kuan Peng-chen of the squadron remarked, "Since its inauguration three years ago, we have always tried to translate the people's expectations into our motivating force. Our selection as a Chu Kuang unit indicates we have used the public donations effectively."
The other 35 Chu Kuang units are equally determined and valiant. With young men such as these defending the nation, we can rest assured that any new attempts by the Communists at armed aggression will also be repelled.
[Picture Caption]
1. With the help of a management company, the parachute troops of the Republic of China have carried out all missions without a single accident. 2. The ROC can make spare parts for its army's LVTs. 3. It has also made remarkable progress in army modernization.
1. The armed forces are striving to develop national defense science and technology. 2. Morale is high. 3.&4. The navy has boosted its capability for all forms of combat.
The Self-reliance Squad of the air force was elected this year a Chu Kuang unit, or unit of honor.
Top: The motorcycle contingent of the military police was chosen champion. Below: military police are learning martial skills.
The ROC can make spare parts for its army's LVTs.
It has also made remarkable progress in army modernization.
The armed forces are striving to develop national defense science and technology.
The navy has boosted its capability for all forms of combat.
The navy has boosted its capability for all forms of combat.
The Self-reliance Squad of the air force was elected this year a Chu Kuang unit, or unit of honor.
The Self-reliance Squad of the air force was elected this year a Chu Kuang unit, or unit of honor.
The Self-reliance Squad of the air force was elected this year a Chu Kuang unit, or unit of honor.
The Self-reliance Squad of the air force was elected this year a Chu Kuang unit, or unit of honor.
The Self-reliance Squad of the air force was elected this year a Chu Kuang unit, or unit of honor.
The motorcycle contingent of the military police was chosen champion.
military police are learning martial skills.