2023/04/16
The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release to clarify the episode of "foreign media reports covering issues related to the defense operations of Taiwan and Penghu" (April 16, 2023)
Press release of the Ministry of National Defense
Time: April 16, 2023 at 14:40
In response to foreign media reports covering issues related to the defense operations of Taiwan and Penghu, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (16th) that the Armed Forces have incorporated all kinds of CCP actions against Taiwan into training scenarios, and adjusted and modified combat plans appropriately to ensure combat readiness. Operation centers at all levels have established common imagery to implement command and control tasks through the integration of combined operations, and military command and control systems to carry out multiple dispositions and backup actions. All information transmission systems are also equipped with a confidentiality mechanism to maintain overall security.
The MND pointed out that the Armed Forces has integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance units as well as defense forces closely to manage potential invasion operations from the enemy and stay ahead of developments of the CCP Air Force and Rocket Force, and respond to air threats in real-time. The Armed Forces will also strengthen combat readiness training to improve our defense combat power.
The MND also explained that the major purpose of adjustment plans for the compulsory service period of the Armed Forces is to create a "main combat force" primarily made up of soldiers from the voluntary military service, which should then integrate with the standing "garrison force" mostly composed of draftees of compulsory service, and those from the "civil defense system" and "reserve system". The composition of these service personnel should help establish a complete and strong national defense system, and enhance overall national defense rather than focusing solely on combat power for air defense.
The MND emphasized that it respects the opinions from the external world of administration of national defense, but what foreign media has quoted is believed to have originated from unidentified documents and the reports are not factual. Most of all, the military preparations and build-up of the Armed Forces are carefully promoted based on the enemy threat, operational needs, and joint combat force planning, and will be implemented according to the principle of "Everywhere is a Battlefield; Always Train" to establish reliable combat capabilities and ensure our national security.