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Defense News

2025/05/18

Time: 1530 hours, May 18, 2025

    In response to media reports regarding allegations of the Ministry of National Defense interfering in the Heroes Hall venue rental, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) clarified today (May 18) that the Military Friends Society was registered as a non-profit organization under the Civic Organizations Act in 2012. The MND serves as the supervisory authority, jointly responsible for services such as military morale activities and emergency relief for military personnel and their families. The operation of Heroes Halls is the responsibility of the Military Friends Society, and the MND has never intervened.

    The MND further stated that media claims of the MND notifying the KMT Taipei City Branch through a legislative liaison arose from a complaint received by a legislator’s office. In response, the MND explained that venue rental is not its responsibility and facilitated contact with the Heroes Hall for clarification.

    The MND emphasized that the Armed Forces strictly adhere to administrative neutrality, uphold the rule of law, and consistently maintain the principle of military nationalization. The MND remains focused on combat training and force development, diligently pursuing war readiness, and seeks public support.
2025/05/18

Time: 1210 hours, May 18, 2025

    The Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (May 18) that, starting at 0850 hours, a total of 18 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft—including J-16 fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, various combat and support aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—were successively detected conducting operations in the vicinity of Taiwan. Of these, 13 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and its extension, entering the northern, southwestern, and eastern airspace, in coordination with PLA naval vessels, as part of a joint combat readiness patrol.

    The Republic of China (ROC) Armed Forces closely monitored the situation using integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems and responded appropriately by dispatching mission aircraft and naval vessels and deploying shore-based missile systems.
About MND

The ROC Constitution stipulates that the ROC national defense aims to defend the nation's security and safeguard world peace. Under this, the nation's defense concepts, military strategies, military buildup, and objectives are formulated to prevent conflict. The current international situation and changes to the possible threat to the ROC are also taken into consideration in the making of defense policies at the current stage. The basic objectives are "preventing war," "defending the homeland," and "countering terrorism and responding to contingencies." The higher strategic goal is "effective deterrence, resolute defense" with the establishment of a quality self-defensive force capable of counterattack. China, though calling for reunification, has never renounced the use of force against Taiwan. It has not only deployed an increasing number of ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan but also staged large-scale military exercises with an overt saber-rattling intent to destabilize Taiwan politically and economically. Moreover, its robust economic expansion in recent years has fueled its defense spending for greater military muscle. In order to maintain Cross-Strait stability and avoid a military imbalance in the Taiwan Strait, the ROC government is calling for the establishment of confidence-building measures (CBMs) and a code of conduct on the one hand, and, on the other hand, has been constructing basic defense forces and counterattack capability to safeguard the territory without engaging in an arms race with the other side.