President Lai Ching-te visited the Ministry of National Defense Wen-Hua base today to encourage the staff of Youth Daily News and the Military News Agency. He expressed his gratitude for their hard work, recognizing their role in countering cognitive warfare through the use of cameras, photography, vivid writing and video content. These efforts have effectively conveyed the correct concept of national defense to the public and demonstrated Taiwan's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty.
Upon his arrival at the Wen-Hua base, President Lai first visited the Youth Daily News History Museum, where he toured displays of cultural products, newspaper production processes, and VR equipment. He then visited the Military News Agency, where he engaged in discussions with staff.
During his visit, President Lai commended the staff for their role in resisting the "smokeless gunpowder," a form of cognitive warfare that combines military action with information dissemination to influence public sentiment and morale. He emphasized that their work is essential in protecting the nation’s security and that their importance is on par with that of the military's frontline combat units.
President Lai noted, "You are the main force in defending against these attacks, and your efforts are as critical as those of our military’s primary combat forces. In the face of China’s persistent united front tactics, gray zone operations, and cognitive warfare, the Military News Agency and Youth Daily News have proactively countered these efforts with timely media responses, including infographics and short videos."
The President also highlighted the impact of military media in fostering a sense of proximity between the public and the national military.
"Thanks to your efforts, the people of Taiwan now feel that the military is right beside them, reinforcing the importance of national defense and enhancing public confidence in the military and national security," President Lai stated. "This is the most powerful form of deterrence."
In his remarks, President Lai encouraged everyone to continue utilizing their professional skills in military media to tell the story of Taiwan’s military and convey the country’s unwavering commitment to democracy and freedom. He stressed the importance of strengthening media operations and strategic communication to unite the people, lead the cognitive battlefield, and achieve the goal of enhancing the overall strength of Taiwan's military forces.
"By leveraging your media and communication expertise, you will help consolidate national consensus and elevate the readiness of our military," President Lai concluded. "Together, we will protect Taiwan’s security and demonstrate to the world our resolve to defend our nation."