Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien visited the National Defense University’s Fu Hsing Kang College campus today to preside over the completion ceremony for the 2026 Anti-Communist and Patriotic Education Program for the Armed Forces’ eight military academies and institutions. Addressing the newly commissioned second lieutenants, he outlined five key dimensions confronting the Armed Forces: what they are defending, the hostile forces they face, the current strategic environment, the nature of modern warfare, and their core objectives. He encouraged the officers to remain steadfast in their patriotic convictions, deepen their understanding of the adversary, and shoulder the shared responsibility of defending the nation and protecting its people.
Vice Minister Hsu urged the officers to develop a sound understanding of their country, fully appreciate Taiwan’s democratic and free values, and recognize the responsibility shared by all citizens to safeguard the nation. He emphasized that national defense is not only about maintaining national security, but also carries the vital mission of protecting Taiwan’s democratic system and free way of life.
Vice Minister Hsu observed that regional conditions are changing rapidly and gray-zone threats are continuing to grow. All service members must therefore keep abreast of developments in international strategy, deepen their understanding of the adversary, and assess regional security conditions objectively and rationally. They must also heighten their awareness of potential crises and strengthen their response capabilities. Only by fostering a sound understanding of national defense can Taiwan effectively enhance its overall defense resilience.
Turning to the evolving nature of modern warfare, Vice Minister Hsu cited the Russia-Ukraine war, the United States’ military operation against Venezuela, and the war with Iran as recent examples. Capabilities involving unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, intelligence integration, autonomous systems, and asymmetric warfare have become major factors shaping the battlefield. In addition to continually enhancing education and training, future defense development will harness technological advances and innovative thinking to strengthen command and control and improve the Armed Forces’ overall response capabilities, thereby increasing the effectiveness of defense operations.
During the event, Vice Minister Hsu also held a discussion with the newly commissioned officers. The officers took the opportunity to raise numerous questions and exchange views with him on the issues outlined above. He addressed each question in turn and explained the current circumstances surrounding it, making for a lively and engaging discussion.
In closing, Vice Minister Hsu offered the officers eight slogans: “strengthen the military through technology, defeat the enemy through innovation, deter aggression, prevent war, build strength, secure peace, safeguard democracy, and defend the nation.” He encouraged the newly commissioned officers, as future leaders of the Armed Forces, to continually develop their professional knowledge and skills and incorporate the principles of patriotic education into their daily duties and leadership. By strengthening unity within their units and working together to safeguard democracy, freedom, and national security, they can preserve peace and stability through strength and fulfill their responsibility to defend the nation and protect its people.