(Reporter Lee Chong-suan of Military News Agency, Taipei, May 3rd) President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the decoration and promotion ceremony of high-ranking military officers of the Armed Forces today, in which she anticipated General Hsiung Hou-chi, who will take up the post as a strategic adviser to the Presidential Office, and General Liu Ren-yuan, who will take up the post as the Commander of Air Force, shall continue make great contributions to improving self-independence of national defense, safeguard national security, and stabilize peace and development in the region.
President Tsai was accompanied by Koo, Li-Hsiung, Secretary-General of the National Security Council, and Chiu Kuo-cheng, Minister of Defense, to officiate the morning ceremony. She first presented General Hsiung Hou-chi with the "Third-Class Order of Precious Tripod", and then decorated Commander Liu Ren-yuan with military rank.
In her speech, the President remarked that the day before yesterday was the beginning of May – a fresh month and a fresh start for these two important generals of the Armed Forces as they take up their new positions and continue to improve the development of national defense affairs. General Hsiung Hou-chi, former Command of the Air Force, will now serve as a strategic adviser to the Presidential Office, and the President thanked, on behalf of the country and the Air Force, General Hsiung for his continued, dedicated to service and decorated him with the “Third-Class Order of Precious Tripod.”
The President said that indigenous-made aircraft over the past few years has improved the overall combat power of the Air Force, and triggered important developments of the domestic aerospace industry. For example, the first advanced jet trainer, the T-5 Brave Eagle, was successfully delivered. In addition, General Hsiung had put in a lot of effort and hard work on the "F-16V performance improvement and equipment installation" project. Having witnessed General Hsiung urge his brothers and sisters in the Air Force to work tirelessly, President Tsai found his spirit most inspiring.
President Tsai also mentioned that CCP aircrafts have frequently intruded the Taiwan Strait in recent years, and General Hsiung had led the Air Force throughout this time in safeguarding the security of Taiwan. As such, President Tsai thanks General Hsiung sincerely for his hard work and valiant effort and looks forward to the General serving the country further in his new post, bringing with him a wealth of experience. Most of all, President Tsai hopes that General Hsiung will continue to offer invaluable advice to the Armed Forces so service personnel can also advance.
The President remarked that General Liu Ren-yuan, who takes over as Commander of the Air Force and was promoted to General, is also an outstanding serviceman of the Armed Forces. He previously served Chief of Staff of Air Force Command and Commander of the Air Force Combatant Command, among other important posts. Liu has also made a lot of contributions to the formation of emerging forces and strengthening of various tasks for combat readiness during his service as Deputy Command of the Air Force. As such, the Armed Forces expects General Liu to continue to exert his talent and lead the Air Force with vigor as it builds stronger air defense combat capabilities.
The President stressed that everyone plays an indispensable role in supporting national security, and extended a warm thanks to Mrs. Hsiung and Mrs. Liu for their support and dedication within the Armed Forces family and everyone gathers to protect the homeland.
The President ended her speech by emphasizes that peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait has attracted more international attention with recent changes alongside the global situation, and the government should continue to improve its self-independence of national defense, safeguard national security, and continue to make contributions to the stability and peaceful development of the region. With this goal in mind, everyone needs to work together. She concluded by once again offering her sincere congratulations to General Hsiung and General Liu, and wishes both Generals every success and in their new positions.