President Lai Ching-te visited Kinmen this morning to preside over a memorial ceremony marking the 68th anniversary of victory in the August 23 Artillery Battle. He expressed his gratitude to those who fought in the battle for their courage and sacrifice, which laid the foundation for 68 years of peace across the Taiwan Strait. He said the government would continue strengthening and investing in national defense in the spirit of “not yielding a single inch of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, or Matsu,” working together to defend the nation, safeguard democracy, and pursue peace and prosperity for generations to come.
After arriving in Kinmen, President Lai first visited Taiwushan Cemetery to preside over the memorial ceremony. He offered incense, flowers, and ceremonial tributes to the fallen service members. Following the reading of the memorial address, he led participating officials and attendees in three bows, expressing profound remembrance and gratitude for the service members’ selfless devotion to the nation.
President Lai then visited Shenfenggang Camp to meet with troops and inspect the operation of its medical building. He noted that, after taking office, former President Tsai Ing-wen launched the “Xing’an Project” to systematically renovate aging Army, Navy, and Air Force barracks. The project included the construction of a combined medical and supply building at Shenfenggang Camp in Kinmen, providing modern living quarters that were completed and occupied last year. President Lai noted that after taking office, he built upon the “Xing’an Project” by introducing the “Zhanxing Project,” which continues the renovation of aging barracks and provides Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel with better living and training environments.
At noon, President Lai attended a luncheon with veterans of the battle and the bereaved families of the martyrs. In his remarks, he said he had come to Kinmen on behalf of the people of the whole country with a profound sense of gratitude. He expressed his sincerest respect and appreciation to the heroes who, regardless of ethnicity or when they had arrived in Taiwan, stood united, fought courageously, repelled communist totalitarian aggression, and devoted themselves to defending Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu and safeguarding the Republic of China.
President Lai also reminded the public that “even when the world is at peace, forgetting war invites peril.” For 68 years, China’s authoritarian forces have never ceased their ambition for external expansion. Taiwan must therefore never relax its resolve to unite in defending national sovereignty and safeguarding peace across the Taiwan Strait. Only by upholding the principle of “not yielding a single inch of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, or Matsu” and continually strengthening and investing in national defense can peace be assured. The victory in the August 23 Artillery Battle, he said, offers the clearest demonstration that “peace is secured through strength.”
President Lai emphasized that Taiwan would continue strengthening its defense capabilities, advancing defense self-reliance, conducting overseas military procurement, developing emerging military technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones, and establishing a comprehensive all-out defense system.
He also noted that next year’s overall defense spending, including the annual and special budgets, would exceed NT$1 trillion for the first time, reaching NT$1.1225 trillion and remaining above 3 percent of GDP. This demonstrates to the world Taiwan’s determination to strengthen its self-defense capabilities.
President Lai added that, in addition to strengthening military capabilities, the government has continued improving compensation for Armed Forces personnel. Since last year, the government has successively increased the volunteer military service allowance, combat unit allowance, tactical air control allowance, electronic reconnaissance, and cyberwarfare allowance. Drone units became eligible for the combat unit allowance in February this year. In July, a Type III Combat Unit Allowance was introduced in consideration of operational requirements and the specialized nature of military duties, providing eligible personnel with an additional NT$4,000 per month. Conscripted officers, noncommissioned officers, and enlisted personnel serving in combat units are also eligible for the allowance.
Additionally, the professional and supervisory allowances for military personnel, civil servants, and public school educators were each increased by NT$2,000 in July. A further 4% salary increase will take effect next January. This will be the fifth pay raise for these personnel over the past decade, spanning the administrations of former President Tsai and President Lai, demonstrating the government’s support for public-sector personnel.
The President emphasized that all these measures are intended to support every service member safeguarding the nation by providing more abundant defense resources and more comprehensive compensation and benefits.
He also expressed hope that the ruling and opposition parties and people throughout Taiwan would uphold the spirit of military-civilian unity, resistance to communism, and defense of Taiwan demonstrated during the August 23 Artillery Battle. He called on them to support the defense budget and measures that care for Armed Forces personnel, thereby laying a stronger and more stable foundation for peace across the Taiwan Strait.