Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) on Saturday said he hoped the new reservist training regimen launched a week earlier would boost the country’s combat readiness.
The reserve force plays an important part in Taiwan’s defense, but the training provided previously was insufficient, because it only lasted five to seven days, Chiu said after watching reservists conduct a drill at a shooting range in New Taipei City’s Linkou District (林口).
Reservists in Taiwan were previously required to train for five to seven days, four times in eight years.
Photo: CNA
Under the new program, they would train for 14 days once a year and participate in more intensive drills.
The military would monitor the results to see if the new regimen improves the combat readiness of reservists.
Saturday’s drill, which simulated defending a beach against an attack, was performed by some of the 400 reservists who started the new 14-day training program on March 6.
Chiu was also asked whether future reservist drills might include the FIM-92 Stinger or anti-tank guided missiles, which have reportedly played a critical role in Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s invasion.
He sidestepped the question, saying only that the military would consider training with different types of weapons that are available to the military and can contribute to Taiwan’s defense.
After observing the training, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said the situation in Ukraine showed that in addition to international support and assistance, a country’s defense depends on the unity of its people.
She said she hoped that the new training regimen would nurture a stronger sense of unity and responsibility among reservists in protecting their homeland.
The Ministry of National Defense has been heavily promoting the new scheme on social media, showing pictures of reservists carrying out live-fire drills, and being greeted by children waving flags and shouting messages of support.
The ministry plans to have about 15,000 reservists participate in the new training regimen at the 24 battalions across Taiwan this year, while another 97,000 reservists would train under the original five to seven-day program.
Additional reporting by Reuters
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,912) for advertisements that exceed its approved business scope, requiring the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license may be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter enforcement of Chinese e-commerce platforms and measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan in response to US President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on China. The Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee met today to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) said
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,900) for advertisements that exceeded its approved business scope and ordered the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license would be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter supervision of Chinese e-commerce platforms and more stringent measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan as US President Donald Trump’s administration cracks down on origin laundering. The legislature’s Finance Committee yesterday met to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report on the matter. Democratic Progressive Party
Taiwan and its Pacific ally Tuvalu on Tuesday signed two accords aimed at facilitating bilateral cooperation on labor affairs, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The governments inked two agreements in Taipei, witnessed by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and visiting Deputy Tuvaluan Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone, MOFA said in a news release. According to MOFA, the agreements will facilitate cooperation on labor issues and allow the two sides to mutually recognize seafarers’ certificates and related training. Taiwan would also continue to collaborate with Tuvalu across various fields to promote economic prosperity as well as the well-being of their
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), who led efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), was released on bail of NT$80,000 today amid outcry over his decision to wear a Nazi armband to questioning the night before. Sung arrived at the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office for questioning in a recall petition forgery case last night wearing a red armband bearing a swastika, carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and giving a Nazi salute. Sung left the building at 1:15am without the armband and covering the book with his coat. Lee said today that this is a serious
RSS