MNA

The 137th Infantry Brigade carried out the "Shooting at a Field Operation Training Ground" training today, using simulated combat with real soldiers and live ammunition, and areas to practice field operation shooting. Such training enables officers and soldiers to become familiar with beach and shore battlefield situations when conducting shooting training with rifles and other light weapons, thereby improving the combat effectiveness of troops. Xishu Beach was chosen as the shooting training ground. After the battalion commander issued orders, officers and soldiers quickly entered the shooting position in a low-profile manner. With the support of baffle plates, servicemen adopted standing and lying positions to shoot, and further combined other training modes as changing ammunition magazines and simulated trouble-shooting to familiarize officers and soldiers with rapid response shooting skills to improve the combat capabilities of troops. The 137th Brigade indicated that shooting at a field training ground requires safety and security. Hence, additional land as well as a sea-water area control team were also organized into formation to ensure the safety of shooting during training, as well as security personnel being dispatched to implement control around the areas announced for shooting.

The 302nd Infantry Brigade underwent new recruit training for 2,226 echelons on one-year compulsory service. After the Lunar New Year holiday, they returned to the Chenggongling New Recruit Centre to undergo enlistment training for new service personnel. In the training of the afternoon of the 16th, the instructors taught "Movement and Stopping." Through personal demonstration and correction, every enlisted student was given the chance to practice and familiarize themselves with movements such as leaping, diving, rolling, sneaking, side-walking, crawling, and others so that all understood the essentials of battlefield movement, helping to lay the foundation for combat basics.

The 234th Mechanized Infantry Brigade recently conducted a nighttime live-fire "Training and Testing No.112-9 Exercise of Tri-service Joint Operations" at the Joint Operations Training Base to verify the troops' ability to manage communications, and troop and firepower utilization at nighttime to help enhance combat effectiveness. This test was carried out at the Joint Training Operations Based of the three armed forces. The test started after dusk, and the artillery fired illumination bombs to kick off the live ammunition test. With solid training, servicemen from the 1st Joint Operations Battalion completed ammunition loading, hit the target, and engaged in other procedures using night vision equipment. As the commander delivered orders, the servicemen immediately launched attacks on the target areas with fire support from the Aviation and Special Forces and artillery, and successfully completed the test missions. The 234th Mechanized Infantry Brigade stated that this test was carried out with real soldiers and live ammunition, following the guidance from the Ministry of National Defense (MND) as they comprehensively made use of night vision goggles to conduct nighttime live-fire combat training, while measures such as using auxiliary lights at target areas and fluorescent markings at shooting areas were abolished. Servicemen therefore had to rely on combat skills, armored vehicles, and individual portable night vision equipment to conduct live ammunition shooting at night. Such practice helps servicemen to get closer to actual combat scenarios, test their night combat capabilities, and enhance practical experience, thus helping to improve combat capabilities.

The 3rd Joint Operations Battalion of the 234th Mechanized Infantry Brigade conducted the Training and Test No. 112-10 Exercise of Tri-service Joint Operations yesterday (18th). During the operation, the artillery unit was responsible for the task of fire support, whereas servicemen took up their positions, set up the firing command post, and loaded ammunition. Servicemen then implemented firing with the 155mm howitzer, accurately hitting the target area, and providing effective cover for primary attacking forces. All of these efforts demonstrated the excellent strike capabilities of the artillery force.

In response to the harassment from airborne balloons by the CCP, Major General Sun Li-fang, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense (MND), responded at a press conference today that if airborne balloons cause serious harm on the ground, the Armed Forces shall engage in a counterattack. However, if the risk is not high, it such activity shall instead be considered gray-zone harassment and the Armed Forces will not engage in a counterattack as desired by the CCP. Major General Sun, MND spokesperson, pointed out that the Armed Forces will continue to make use of various joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance measures, and airborne aircraft to stay abreast of relevant developments. Countermeasures of the military are also based on important principles, including studying and judging the adversary's intentions. Based on the current analysis of related information, their objective is to use gray-zone threats to engage in a cognitive attack. Colonel Wang Jia-jun, Vice Director of the Offices of the Deputy Chief of General Staff (CGSs) for Operations and Planning, added that as the CCP has adopted aerial balloons for harassment, the Armed Forces remains alert and shall respond accordingly. The Armed Forces will also not make way for the CCP's asymmetric operations to disrupt combat readiness and response, thus helping the CCP in achieving their objective of depleting the military weapons of our Armed Forces. Should airborne balloons enter densely populated areas, notifications will be released to all units for close monitoring, and each combat area will be asked to meticulously remain alert to any incidents. In response to questions from the media, Colonel Huang Ming-jie, an intelligence officer from the Intelligence Research Center of the Offices of the CGSs for Intelligence, explained that airborne balloons were detected both in the morning and evening, but no wreckages have been found. Based on recent data analysis, the CCP is conducting gray-zone harassment against us as it carries out cognitive operation warfare activities.

President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Qing-de attended the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Office of the President on flag-raising ceremony at the Presidential Palace on New Year’s Day 2024 this morning. The President and Vice President arrived and accepted a salute from the captain of the Ministry of National Defense Honor Guard, and then sang the national anthem with the crowds under the leadership of the 10 previous outstanding youth representatives while the national flag was slowly raised. After the flag-raising ceremony, the President and Vice President stepped onto the stage and waved to those who participated in the ceremony. It is their hope that all generations respect and tolerate each other, move forward with perseverance, and jointly embrace a dynamic and sustainable Taiwan as we all look forward to the brand new year ahead. Others in attendance were Chen Jian-ren, Premier of the Executive Yuan, Yu Si-kun, President of the Legislative Yuan, Hsu Tzong-li, President of the Judicial Yuan, Lee Hung-chun, Vice President of the Control Yuan, Lin Jia-lung, Secretary-General of the Presidential Office, Chiang Wan-an, Taipei City Mayor, Lin Ding-jun, 2023 President of the organizer of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Taiwan, ROC, and Chang Jian-kun, 2024 President Chang Jian-kun of JCI Taiwan, ROC.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (5 th ) that the Armed Forces adopted joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance measures to keep abreast of the whereabouts of the CCP aircraft carrier, Shandong, and the formation of vessels when they passed through the Bashi Channel alongside the southeast waters of Taiwan as it unveiled its first voyage training in the western Pacific. Our Navy and Air Force, as well as our land-based radar system, were well placed to record the movements and implement close surveillance and monitoring. The MND pointed out that as the CCP continuously dispatches aircraft and warships to provoke the sea-water and airspace around Taiwan it not only poses a real threat to our national security, but also undermines regional security and the stability of the status quo. Such actions are surely not what a responsible modern country should be doing. The MND emphasized that"external pressure will not hinder our determination to go global", and the Armed Forces will continue to monitor developments around the Taiwan Strait closely as well as uphold the principle of "Not Escalating Conflict, and Not Triggering Fights" to deal with any challenges. The MND is confident that it has the ability and determination to safeguard our national security.

Naval Fleet Command stated today (3 rd ) that the Navy Goodwill Midshipmen Cruising & Training Squadron has incorporated three vessels and warships for the year 2023: the Panshih fast combat support ship (oil and bomb supply ship), Cheng De warship (Kangding-class missile frigate), and Pan Chao warship (Chung Kung-class frigate). These three warships will be open for the public to visit at each port of berth to inspire young people to join the navy in the future. Naval Fleet Command said that the training of the Goodwill Midshipmen Cruising & Training Squadron mainly entails providing fresh graduates from the navy academy, and political warfare, management, and technology colleges with the opportunity to participate in cruise training so they may gain practical experience to support their studies and lay a good foundation as they aspire to a career in the navy in the future. The opening times at each port for domestic cruising training: (1) Kaohsiung Port: March 10 and 11 (Friday, Saturday) 0900 to 1500. (2) Anping Port: March 12 and 13 (Sunday, Monday) 0900 to 1500. (3) Magong Port : March 14 and 15 (Tuesday, Wednesday) 0900 to 1500. (4) Taichung Port: March 17 and 18 (Friday, Saturday) 0900 to 1500. (5) Keelung Port: March 19 and 20 (Sunday, Monday) 0900 to 1500. (6) Suao Port: March 24 and 25 (Friday, Saturday) 0900 to 1500. (7) Hualien Port: March 26 and 27 (Sunday, Monday) 0900 to 1500. The general public and students across the country are welcome to visit and enjoy an unforgettable national defense day out. Visitors must bring their ROC ID card or other photographic identification documents to verify their identity as a national. Visitors are also encouraged to arrive at the port early to avoid disappointment.

1. The All-out Mobilization Law was announced on November 14, 2001, and has twice been amended in 2014 and 2019 respectively. Current provisions mostly stipulate the issues of mobilization preparation, but regulations such as command chains after mobilization as well as timely requisition are insufficient. As such, the MND has started to revise the law after considering the regional threat and the need to embody the concept of "National Defense" to jointly safeguard the homeland, and hopes that the revision expands the relevant supporting mechanisms and furnishes overall mobilization. 2. Since the effectiveness of mobilization operations in times of emergency is very much related to the continuous existence of a country, the majority of nations around the world have emphasized that they must be fully prepared in case of war. In fact, Article 13 of the current All-out Mobilization Law stipulates that each mobilization preparation institute shall conduct investigations, statistics, and plans with regard to manpower, material resources, facilities, and others for mobilization, and is authorized to implement verification drills to ensure mobilization is sufficient according to plan during wartime and to effectively resist foreign invasion. Since an All-out Mobilization Law is a legal enactment for a critical moment when a country enters a state of emergency, its necessary control measures relevant enshrined in law should only apply during such state of emergency; it does not impact nor infringe on the freedom and rights of people during peacetime. 3. The legal enactment of the All-out Mobilization Law is for the necessary measures by democratic countries when faced with threats from an enemy to help build national security and ensure the survival of its nationals. Following the announcement of the draft amendments by the MND, a consultation will be held to account for the opinions of the general public, reviewed accordingly following due procedures, and then submitted to the Executive Yuan for assessment. As such, the MND hopes that the amendments can be furnished in line with the common goal of protecting national security, and that communications and discussion following such amendments remain factual; the media must not randomly and willfully distort the facts and cause understandings. Once again, the MND firmly and seriously clarifies the necessity and importance of this law and its amendments to protect people’s rights and safeguard national security.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (27 th ) that a USP-8A aircraft has flown from north to south through the Taiwan Strait. During its passage through the Taiwan Strait, the Armed Forces stayed ahead of developments around the peripheral sea waters and airspace, and conditions were considered normal.