MNA

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, Vice Minister of National Defense General Chung Shu-ming visited armaments units in central Taiwan today. On behalf of Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, he extended early holiday greetings to all personnel and commended their longstanding contributions to national security, military materiel research, development, and production, and military facilities and property management. Accompanied by relevant Joint Staff officers, Vice Minister Chung visited the Central Region Construction and Real Estate Division of the Armaments Bureau’s Construction and Real Estate Service Center and the 401st Plant of its Manufacturing and Production Center. He received mission briefings, reviewed the progress of ongoing projects, and presented Mid-Autumn Festival meal allowances in recognition of the dedication of military personnel and research and production staff. Vice Minister Chung stated that armaments readiness provides a solid foundation for defense preparedness and defense self-reliance. He noted that the Central Region Construction and Real Estate Division has long been responsible for maintaining military facilities and property and constructing new facilities. Its work is essential to improving service members’ living facilities and optimizing the use of defense assets. The division was also named an Exemplary Unit by the Ministry of National Defense this year in recognition of its outstanding performance. The 401st Plant, meanwhile, has demonstrated substantial research and production capabilities in optoelectronics, precision measurement, and geospatial surveying and mapping, providing indispensable support for enhancing the military’s overall defense capabilities. Regarding the development of critical technologies and current missions, Vice Minister Chung instructed the 401st Plant to treat the protection of classified information, counterintelligence, and information security as top priorities. He called for the rigorous implementation of cybersecurity safeguards, access controls, and security measures to protect critical national defense information. In response to current defense operational requirements, Vice Minister Chung emphasized that armaments production and engineering management must continue to evolve. He encouraged the units to advance their core technologies and professional expertise, implement risk-control and workplace-safety measures, and strengthen organizational resilience and technological research and development capabilities, ensuring that all force-development missions are completed on schedule and to the required standards.

Ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien visited the Miaoli area today on behalf of Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung. He visited the Miaoli County Reserve Command and Miaoli Military Police to learn about their mission execution. Vice Minister Hsu commended service members and reserve advisory cadres for remaining steadfast at their posts and dedicated themselves to their duties, and extended early wishes for a happy Mid-Autumn Festival. Accompanied by Fifth Theater of Operations Deputy Commander Major General Ma Ji-rui, All-out Defense Mobilization Agency Deputy Director-General Liu Tai-yi, Military Police 203rd Command Deputy Commander Colonel Tseng, and other officials, Vice Minister Hsu received mission briefings at the two units. He reviewed their reserve mobilization readiness, military-civilian coordination, and military police operations. He also spoke with service members and reserve advisory cadres and asked about their work and daily lives. Vice Minister Hsu said this year’s Urban Resilience Exercise incorporated wartime disaster scenarios for the first time. The purpose of the exercise was to identify problems through practical validation and make continuous improvement. Units should continually review their personnel and materiel requirements based on the exercise results. In particular, they should realistically assess the vehicles, machinery, and other resources required for such missions as evacuating civilians from disaster areas, transporting critical supplies, and protecting critical infrastructure. Any deficiencies identified should be addressed promptly so that readiness preparations more closely reflect actual requirements. Vice Minister Hsu emphasized that reserve advisory cadres serve as an important communication bridge between the military, local governments, and civil society. Effective coordination mechanisms should be established during peacetime and repeatedly tested and refined through training and exercises. Communications planning should also account for the possibility that normal communications may be disrupted during wartime. Units should establish multiple backup communication methods and ensure that personnel are familiar with operating the relevant systems. Reserve advisory cadres have long-established ties within their communities and play an important role in connecting the Armed Forces with the public. Vice Minister Hsu encouraged them to continue drawing on their local knowledge and ability to coordinate resources to support military operations and enhance military-civilian integration. In the afternoon, Vice Minister Hsu visited the Miaoli Military Police to review its mission execution and combat-readiness preparations. He emphasized that joint transportation operations involve troop movements, road access, and coordination with local authorities and must therefore be incorporated into mission planning. Units should strengthen coordination and conduct drills during peacetime for potential contingencies they may face, identifying problems early and making continual adjustments to ensure the successful execution of all wartime missions.

The Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) held the “2026 Taipei Security Dialogue” today. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, INDSR Chairman Huoh Shoou-yeh, and American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond F. Greene were among those attending. Under the theme “Forging Global Consensus: A Blueprint for Common Security in the Indo-Pacific Region,” the conference examined shared challenges to Indo-Pacific security in light of ongoing conflicts across Eurasia and rapid technological change. Participants also explored ways to strengthen strategic coordination and defense resilience. The conference brought together security leaders, former government officials, think tank scholars, and practitioners from the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, and other countries. Four panel discussions were held: “Navigating a New Global Security Landscape: Strategic Lessons from the Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East,” “Strategic Chokepoints and Security: The Strait of Hormuz and the Taiwan Strait,” “The Rise of Technological Innovation: Digital and Autonomous Unmanned Systems,” and “Gray-Zone Threats and Responses: Building Defense Resilience.” The panels examined common Indo-Pacific security issues from the perspectives of wartime experience, maritime security, technological innovation, and gray-zone threats. In her remarks, Vice President Hsiao said Taiwan has a responsibility to strengthen its national defense and improve society’s preparedness for various security challenges. President Lai’s Four Pillars of Peace Action Plan provides an important national security framework centered on strengthening national defense, building economic resilience, deepening cooperation with democratic partners, and maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Vice President Hsiao noted that the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated how decentralized command, reserve training and mobilization, and the rapid evolution of drone and counter-drone technologies are transforming the battlefield. Taiwan must establish multilayered defense capabilities and rapid mechanisms for incorporating technological feedback. It must also continue reforming its military service and reserve systems, strengthening asymmetric and air defense capabilities, and integrating artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to enhance defense effectiveness. Vice President Hsiao emphasized that the government has proposed an unmanned systems procurement program under which coastal surveillance reconnaissance drones and coastal attack drones and small one-way attack unmanned surface vessels will be manufactured domestically. In addition to strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities, the program will incentivize domestic manufacturers to invest in technology and resilient production. By drawing on Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductors, information and communications technology, and precision manufacturing, the government will continue introducing innovation and emerging technologies into national defense. At the same time, government drone production and procurement, including civilian procurement, must rely on “non-red supply chains” to progressively reduce risks and dependencies while moving toward domestic production. INDSR Chairman Huoh Shoou-yeh said the global security environment is changing rapidly and unpredictably. The war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, and developments in the Strait of Hormuz all demonstrate that peace cannot be taken for granted. Only through active defense preparations and stronger integrated deterrence can peace be maintained.
 Addressing China’s continued use of gray-zone coercion, Chairman Huoh said China’s objective is to transform itself from a continental power into a maritime power. Growing alignment among authoritarian states has also formed an “axis of upheaval.” Countries should therefore move from passive responses to proactive preparedness and build a defensive network through “integrated deterrence.” Taiwan is continuing to strengthen national defense and advance whole-of-society defense resilience. By integrating national defense, civil defense, and psychological defense, it will work with like-minded countries to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. In his keynote address, AIT Director Raymond F. Greene said a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would inflict losses on the global economy exceeding those of the Second World War. The United States therefore regards maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific as a top priority. In addition to conducting high-level diplomatic dialogue and strengthening its military presence and partnerships along the first island chain, the United States fully supports Taiwan in enhancing its self-defense capabilities. Director Greene emphasized that the ultimate shared objective of Taiwan and the United States is not to prevail in a conflict, but to prevent one and ensure lasting peace in the Indo-Pacific. As the nature of the modern battlefield changes rapidly, Taiwan is drawing lessons from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East concerning asymmetric warfare and the application of emerging technologies. It also demonstrated the results of its reforms through the recent Han Kuang Exercise. This reflects a fundamental change in Taiwan’s approach to national security, with the country continually strengthening its self-defense capabilities to enhance deterrence and reduce the likelihood of conflict.

The Ministry of National Defense held the 2026 Financial Literacy and Financial Fraud Prevention Training Program at Bo’ai Camp today, presided over by Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien. Experts in finance and fraud prevention were invited to deliver sessions on financial management strategies and fraud prevention. By sharing professional knowledge and practical experience, the program aimed to enhance service members’ financial literacy and their ability to identify and prevent fraud, while helping them develop sound financial practices. The instructors were Lin Yu-jung, a lecturer at the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance, and Chiu Ya-tien, a Division Assistant with the Crime Prevention Division of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, National Police Agency, Ministry of the Interior. Their respective sessions, titled “Financial Management Strategies” and “Fraud Prevention,” covered lifetime risk management, all-weather investment portfolios, the latest fraud statistics and trends, and common fraudulent schemes. Drawing on her frontline experience in criminal investigation and fraud prevention, Chiu used actual cases to explain how fraud rings operate, helping service members develop sound financial concepts and greater vigilance against fraud. In his remarks, Vice Minister Hsu said that in an era of intertwined geopolitical and financial risks, everyone must confront the important challenge of accumulating wealth while protecting it from fraud. When service members encounter serious financial difficulties or fall victim to fraud, the consequences affect not only their own livelihoods but also their families. Those in leadership positions also bear responsibility for guiding their teams. Enhancing their personnel’s financial literacy and ability to “identify and prevent fraud” is therefore an essential aspect of leadership that cannot be overlooked. Vice Minister Hsu encouraged participants to make the most of the training and apply what they had learned in their workplaces. By managing their own finances responsibly, they can protect themselves and their families while also supporting their fellow service members. He urged them to incorporate sound financial management and fraud prevention practices into their daily lives and become a strong force in safeguarding service members’ financial security.

A symposium marking the first anniversary of the implementation of the Servicemember Relief Act was held today at the Northern Military Judicial Complex. In his remarks, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung said the new system integrates the internal remedies previously available through administrative appeals, complaints, and servicemember rights protection procedures. It places disputes concerning servicemembers’ rights on a statutory footing and provides for their adjudication and review by the Service Tribunal of the High Court of Military Justice and Servicemember Rights Protection Committee through objective, professional, and efficient procedures prescribed by law. By protecting servicemembers’ rights while maintaining military discipline, the system represents an important milestone in the Armed Forces’ progress toward a human rights-based legal framework. The Servicemember Relief Act has now been in effect for one year since its implementation on August 6, 2025. The Ministry’s Department of Legal Affairs invited former Judicial Yuan President Hsu Tzong-li to deliver a keynote address. Minister without Portfolio Lin Ming-hsin and Judicial Yuan Department of Administrative Litigation and Discipline Director-General Kuo Shu-chen also attended. Participants exchanged views on the servicemember rights protection system and its practical implementation, with the aim of continuing to improve the Armed Forces’ rights-relief mechanisms. Minister Koo noted that during the system’s first year, the Servicemember Rights Protection Committee has handled petitions for deliberation and re-appeals filed by servicemembers. They have also identified specific deficiencies in flawed administrative dispositions, regularly compiled and analyzed the reasons such dispositions were revoked, and proposed improvements. Through regional forums and professional exchanges, the committees have helped improve the quality of administrative dispositions issued by military units and enhance public confidence in military administration. In addition to hearing administrative litigation concerning disciplinary measures and discharge for unfitness for active service, the Service Tribunal handles compulsory enforcement cases involving the recovery of publicly funded benefits. Military judges have also continued strengthening exchanges with judicial authorities to enhance their professional knowledge and adjudicative capabilities. Minister Koo outlined three expectations for the military legal personnel attending the symposium: to become “a source of support for commanders,” “an advocate for servicemembers,” and “the most professional team.” He emphasized that administration in accordance with the law is a fundamental requirement of a modern military. Military legal personnel should provide commanders at all levels with sound legal advice to ensure that all policies and measures are implemented lawfully. They should also proactively assist servicemembers and their families with legal issues, serving them with professionalism and dedication so that personnel can focus on combat readiness and training without undue concern. Military legal personnel should also continue developing expertise in legal affairs, administrative appeals, procurement, personnel affairs, disciplinary measures, human rights in the military, legal and disciplinary investigations, military operations, and other fields. Finally, Minister Koo thanked the Executive Yuan, Judicial Yuan, and other government agencies and ministries for assisting the Ministry in implementing the new system under the Servicemember Relief Act. He emphasized that the Armed Forces would continue upholding due process, consolidating the statutory foundations of remedial mechanisms for protecting servicemembers’ rights, and demonstrating its determination to protect human rights within the military.

Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien visited financial, reserve, and logistics units in Yilan today on behalf of Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung. He thanked service members and reserve advisory cadres for their longstanding dedication to their duties and extended his recognition and appreciation, as well as early wishes for a happy Mid-Autumn Festival. Accompanied by All-out Defense Mobilization Agency Chief Executive Officer Lin Chun-mei, Deputy Commander of the Third Theater of Operations Lieutenant General Tung Chi-hsing, and other officials, Vice Minister Hsu visited the Yilan Detachment, Yilan Financial Affairs Group, Yilan County Reserve Command, and Yilan Supply Subdepot. He received briefings on mission performance and personnel living conditions. On behalf of Minister Koo, he also presented group meal allowances and thanked service members and reserve advisory cadres for their dedication. Vice Minister Hsu commended personnel at the Yilan Financial Affairs Group for their longstanding work in salary disbursement, fund management, emergency loans, and other services that address the practical needs of service members. He emphasized that as investment and borrowing options become increasingly diverse, financial units should continue strengthening financial education and promoting risk awareness. These efforts will help service members develop sound financial concepts and avoid personal financial difficulties that could affect unit security. During his visit to the Yilan County Reserve Command, Vice Minister Hsu said reserve commands should strengthen routine coordination and liaison with local governments and civic organizations, maintain effective communication channels, integrate local resources, and improve military-civilian integration mechanisms. Readiness plans should also be incorporated into daily operations and validated through training and exercises. These efforts will continue to strengthen reserve capabilities and ensure that the reserve force serves as a reliable and trusted pillar of national security. In the afternoon, Vice Minister Hsu visited the Yilan Supply Subdepot to inspect its storage facilities, offices, and living quarters. He commended the unit for maintaining regional supply capacity and supporting the execution of various missions. Given the wide range of logistics items and the stringent procedures governing their management, he encouraged the unit to continue adopting technological tools, improving supply and management operations, and enhancing overall logistics support effectiveness.

President Lai Ching-te visited the National Defense University this morning to preside over the “opening ceremony for the Class of 2027 in Advanced Military Education Program.” President Lai said that, in the face of rapidly changing international conditions and challenges posed by emerging technologies, the Armed Forces must continue upgrading and transforming into a new-generation force capable of responding to diverse challenges. In his remarks, President Lai said he was pleased to preside over the ceremony. He congratulated the officers on passing their entrance examinations and beginning a new stage of learning. He also thanked the faculty and staff for their longstanding dedication to military education and for strengthening the Armed Forces’ professional foundations. President Lai noted that the international landscape is changing rapidly, while China’s threats and provocations against neighboring countries are becoming increasingly serious. Artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and space technologies are also reshaping the future and the nature of warfare. In the face of these challenges, only by continually strengthening its self-defense capabilities and enhancing military professionalism can Taiwan safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and protect its democracy, peace, and prosperity. The President emphasized that the Armed Forces must continue upgrading and transforming into a new-generation force capable of meeting every challenge. The success of this transformation will depend on whether leaders at all levels possess a broad perspective, professional knowledge and capabilities, and an unwavering sense of responsibility. All the officers have extensive experience in military units. Their return to the classroom reflects the nation’s higher expectations of them. Advanced military education is not about accumulating academic credentials, but about elevating their thinking, developing the ability to integrate capabilities across services and disciplines, and preparing them to assume greater responsibilities in the future. President Lai noted that a new-generation force must embrace new training, new thinking, new equipment, and new technology. It must also be people-centered, AI-assisted, and guided by realistic combat requirements, while continually enhancing the effectiveness of joint operations and asymmetric capabilities. During the ceremony, President Lai outlined “three imperatives” for the officers. First, they should actively cultivate strategic thinking with an international perspective. As the future leaders of the Armed Forces, they should apply what they learn to observe and assess international developments accurately, move beyond service-centric thinking, place the national interest first, and prepare and plan effectively for force development and combat readiness from an international strategic perspective. Second, they should actively acquire new knowledge and embrace innovation and change. Technological advances are transforming warfare while testing organizations’ ability to learn and adapt rapidly. He encouraged the officers to engage proactively with artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and the integration of information, communications, and electronic warfare capabilities, thereby strengthening their problem-solving abilities. More importantly, they should have the courage to examine established practices critically and bring the results of their learning and research back to their units, ensuring that innovation is genuinely incorporated into training, command, and decision-making. Third, they should have the courage to assume leadership responsibilities and build trust within their teams. A leader’s value lies not only in accomplishing missions but also in leading by example, assigning people according to their strengths, recognizing the expertise and needs of every colleague, and striking a balance between rigorous standards and genuine care. Only by establishing mutual trust and maintaining discipline can leaders foster trust and cohesion within their teams, make sound decisions at critical moments, and accomplish every mission. President Lai again reminded all Armed Forces leaders that “even when the world is at peace, forgetting war invites peril.” He emphasized that Taiwan must never relax its resolve to stand united in defending its sovereignty and safeguarding peace across the Taiwan Strait. Only by continually strengthening and investing in national defense can Taiwan “secure peace through strength.” As commander-in-chief, President Lai pledged that the government would remain the Armed Forces’ strongest source of support. It will continue providing the necessary resources and improving service members’ compensation and working and living conditions, enabling them to serve with peace of mind and devote themselves fully to defending the nation. Finally, President Lai reminded the officers that the opening ceremony marked not only the beginning of a new learning journey but also the start of their future leadership responsibilities. He expressed confidence that their education at the National Defense University would equip them with broader perspectives, stronger capabilities, and more mature leadership, enabling them to become an important force for reform within the Armed Forces. He wished all the officers success in their studies and a rewarding educational experience. He encouraged them to turn knowledge into action and responsibility into strength, working together to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy, peace, and prosperity. Also attending were National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu; National Security Council Advisor Liu Te-chin; Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung; Chief of Army General Lu Kun-hsiu; Chief of Navy Admiral Chiang Cheng-kuo; Chief of Air Force General Cheng Jung-feng; Vice Chief of the General Staff (Executive) General Huang Chih-wei; and National Defense University President Admiral Tang Hua.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung accompanied Premier Cho Jung-tai to the “2026 Armed Forces Day Military Appreciation Campaign: A Feast for Heroes, Savoring Home and Honoring the Nation” fair today. He spoke to the media following the event. Regarding the cyberattack on the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology’s (NCSIST) procurement information website, Minister Koo said an investigation had confirmed that the website management interface used by the contractor was compromised. NCSIST did not detect the intrusion immediately and issued a corrective statement after subsequently discovering what had occurred. Minister Koo said the Ministry would require NCSIST to conduct a comprehensive review of the incident, implement improvements, and hold responsible personnel accountable for the management deficiencies. NCSIST will also establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) and further strengthen its information security management. Responding to media questions about vehicle-mounted missile systems and related matters, Minister Koo added that the Ministry remains committed to developing asymmetric capabilities. Vehicle-mounted missile systems form part of the overall force-development plan, but further details cannot be disclosed at this time.

The Ministry of National Defense held its “2026 Armed Forces Data Governance Training Program” today, presided over by Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien. Courses covering policy guidance, implementation of governance mechanisms, and system operation were designed to strengthen service members’ understanding of data governance. A dedicated management team also assisted in delivering the training, helping lay a solid foundation for the Armed Forces’ digital transformation. Vice Minister Hsu said the Armed Forces continue advancing toward “greater modernization, internationalization, and localization.” Amid the rapid development of artificial intelligence, data governance and systems integration provide essential foundations for AI applications and building a modern military. Armed forces around the world face similar challenges in integrating data and ensuring interoperability among information systems. It is therefore “never too late” to implement data governance. What matters, Vice Minister Hsu said, is demonstrating resolve and continuing to make progress. Citing the Russia-Ukraine War, Vice Minister Hsu explained that modern battlefields depend heavily on information systems and real-time data. From UAV operations to commanders’ access to information on force strength, equipment readiness and supplies, a robust data governance framework is essential to maintaining situational awareness and supporting command decision-making. Vice Minister Hsu emphasized that data governance is an important foundation of modern combat power. He encouraged participants to build consensus, harness the strength of teamwork, and continue improving related efforts. These efforts will enhance the Armed Forces’ information integration and data utilization capabilities, establishing a solid foundation for digital transformation and AI applications.

Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien visited Taipei Main Station this morning to view the displays at the Executive Yuan’s “Safeguarding Our Homeland, Sharing in the Honor: A Feast for Heroes, Savoring Home and Honoring the Nation” event. On behalf of Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, he presented gifts to participating service members and thanked them for their hard work. To recognize Armed Forces personnel for their longstanding dedication to defending the nation and safeguarding the homeland, the Executive Yuan is holding the four-day event from September 3 in the multipurpose exhibition area on the first floor of Taipei Main Station. The event combines a military appreciation fair, displays of Armed Forces equipment, screenings of military promotional videos, and themed interactive activities. Members of the public are invited to show their respect and gratitude through concrete action to service members who remain steadfast at their posts. For the event, the Ministry of National Defense is displaying models of equipment used by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Items presented in rotation over the four days include an Army Special Forces miniature assault vehicle, a Navy twin-mounted Stinger missile launcher, models of three types of Air Force fighter aircraft, and a Military Police Indian Challenger heavyweight motorcycle. These displays give the public an opportunity to view military equipment up close and learn about the distinctive characteristics of each service. During the event, service members and their families may receive a 20 percent discount throughout the fair by presenting a military identification card, service identification card, or military dependent identification card. Visitors whose names contain any of the Chinese characters “九, 三, 軍, 人, 節, 陸, 海, 空, or 憲,” or a homophone of any of these characters, may receive a 10 percent discount upon presenting identification. The event also features prize drawings for purchases of NT$1,000 or more, limited daily gifts for completing designated social media check-in activities, honor guard performances, national defense quizzes, Armed Forces-themed digital photo booths, and message boards for expressing appreciation to the military. Through these interactive experiences, visitors can learn more about the Armed Forces and convey their best wishes to the service members safeguarding the homeland.