MNA

As the field training phase ofHan Kuang 42 Exercise continued, Vice Minister of National Defense General Chung Shu-ming visited the Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital today to inspect a “mass-casualty response exercise.” He was accompanied by Third Theater of Operations Commander Lieutenant General Lien Chih-wei, Director of the Army Logistics Command’s Medical Affairs Division Major General Wu Yu-chuan, Acting Deputy Director-General of the Medical Affairs Bureau Colonel Chen, and other officials. Conducted as part of the exercise phase focusing on defense in depth and protracted operations, the scenario simulated the 584th Brigade suffering a large number of casualties during an engagement with enemy forces. After receiving Role 1 and Role 2 medical care and being processed through a casualty evacuation control point, the casualties were evacuated in sequence to the Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital. Upon receiving notification, the hospital immediately activated its emergency response mechanisms and converted its underground space into an alternate medical treatment facility. During the inspection, Vice Minister Chung reviewed the establishment and operation of the underground medical facility, inter-unit communications mechanisms, procedures for requesting road access for casualty evacuation, use of the “Field Smart Medical Information System,” backup power, and the self-sustaining blood product supply capability. Vice Minister Chung also reviewed wartime blood product resupply and transportation mechanisms. He reminded relevant units to plan carefully for potential wartime contingencies to ensure that blood products can reach points of care promptly and meet the treatment needs arising from mass-casualty incidents. Vice Minister Chung also provided guidance on the overall planning of uninterruptible power supplies, emergency generators, and the electricity required for medical equipment. These measures are intended to ensure that critical medical facilities and treatment operations can continue functioning if the external power supply is disrupted. In addition, Vice Minister Chung commended the use of the “Field Smart Medical Information System.” He expressed hope that the system would provide real-time information on casualty movements, patient intake at medical stations, and the medical needs of military units, thereby improving information integration and the efficiency of resource allocation. He also instructed the theater commander to coordinate closely with the medical and logistics systems, assess wartime medical requirements, and establish a comprehensive support mechanism.

Vice Minister of National Defense General Chung Shu-ming, accompanied by Department of Legal Affairs Director-General Lieutenant General Wu Yi-sheng, the Third Theater of Operations Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Tung Chi-hsing, and other officials, visited the Ministry’s Northern Regional Legal Service Center today to inspect a “practical wartime military trial exercise.” The exercise validated the formation of provisional tribunals and investigation teams by wartime military courts and prosecutors’ offices at all levels following the transition from peacetime to wartime, in accordance with the Military Trial Act. Vice Minister Chung also observed participants simulate the investigation and adjudication of alleged offenses under wartime conditions and other courtroom procedures. Vice Minister Chung said the Department of Legal Affairs had incorporated practical wartime military trial procedures into the field-training phase of the “Han Kuang 42 Exercise.” Active-duty military legal personnel assigned to the Taoyuan Central Operational Sector of the Third Theater of Operations during wartime formed a provisional tribunal and an investigation team to conduct the exercise jointly, validating wartime military justice mechanisms and capabilities. He commended the exercise for integrating military operations and battlefield developments from the broader operational scenario. This enabled participants to examine realistically the challenges that may arise during wartime adjudication and validate the relevant procedures and response measures. Finally, Vice Minister Chung encouraged the military justice system to establish standard operating procedures and continue providing in-service education and training. These efforts will enable military legal personnel to restore and strengthen their investigative and adjudicative competencies while building the capacity required to administer military justice during wartime.

On the third day of the field-training phase of the Han Kuang 42 Exercise, Vice Minister of National Defense General Chung Shu-ming visited the Fourth Theater of Operations today to inspect a “military, public, and private medical integration” exercise involving casualty evacuation and the relocation of medical capacity. The exercise validated the large-scale relocation and preservation of medical capacity at Armed Forces hospitals, the transfer of existing patients to lower-acuity facilities, and coordination mechanisms with external organizations. Participating units completed all exercise scenarios, demonstrating their ability to integrate medical resources and relocate medical supplies. Accompanied by Director-General of the Medical Affairs Bureau Lieutenant General Chen Yuan-hao and E-Da Hospital Superintendent Tu Yuan-kun, Vice Minister Chung visited the Zuoying Armed Forces General Hospital, Gangshan Veterans Home, Yanchao Emergency Aid Station, and E-Da Hospital. He inspected drills covering casualty evacuation, the relocation of medical supplies, the placement and care of wounded service members, and the transfer of civilian patients to appropriate facilities. In response to the exercise scenarios, participating units completed casualty triage, coordination with receiving and transferring units, applications for traffic priority along evacuation routes, interagency command-and-control communications, the dispatch of evacuation vehicles including mobilized transportation assets, the deployment of personnel including military support teams, and inventories of medical supplies and daily necessities. Through interagency coordination and cooperation, the exercise validated the wartime medical system’s operating mechanisms and emergency response capabilities. During the exercise, the Armed Forces medical system worked closely with local health authorities, veterans care institutions, and private medical facilities. Information sharing, ambulance dispatch, and tiered medical care mechanisms enabled casualties to be rapidly sorted, evacuated, and transferred to suitable medical institutions or accommodation facilities according to their condition. These measures help ensure continuity of care and preserve medical treatment capacity during wartime and disasters. Vice Minister Chung said the military, public, and private medical integration exercise was conducted in conjunction with the field-training phase of the “Han Kuang 42 Exercise.” Coordinated by the Ministry’s Medical Affairs Bureau, it brought together Armed Forces hospitals, private medical institutions, local health centers, and veterans homes to validate civil-military medical coordination mechanisms and response capacity under realistic conditions. The exercise not only demonstrated the progress achieved in integrating military, public, and private medical systems, but also identified a number of areas for improvement. Vice Minister Chung expressed hope that continued exercises would build experience, refine existing mechanisms, and comprehensively strengthen wartime medical support and whole-of-society defense resilience.

Vice Minister of National Defense for Armaments General Chung Shu-ming today presided over the installation ceremony for the new Director-General of the Armaments Bureau, Lieutenant General Huang Chao-cheng. He encouraged the Bureau, under Lieutenant General Huang’s leadership, to continue improving armaments readiness, weapons and equipment acquisition, and contract performance management; integrate defense technology with the capabilities of private industry; strengthen the foundations of defense self-reliance; and enhance the Armed Forces’ overall combat capabilities. The installation ceremony for the Director-General of the Ministry of National Defense’s Armaments Bureau was held this morning at Bo’ai Camp. During the ceremony, Vice Minister Chung first read the official appointment order, after which Lieutenant General Huang Chao-cheng took the oath of office and formally assumed his new position. Vice Minister Chung noted that the Armaments Bureau is responsible for armaments readiness, the research, development, and production of defense technologies and weapons systems, as well as military engineering and real property management. In recent years, the Bureau has achieved strong results in supporting the services with major weapons acquisition programs, defense technology R&D, oversight of military construction projects, and more effective use of military real estate. He encouraged all personnel to continue embracing innovation and reform while strengthening coordination and cooperation across departments. Vice Minister Chung emphasized that defense self-reliance is an essential foundation for strengthening the Armed Forces’ combat capabilities. In the face of serious threats, weapons and equipment acquisition must be driven by actual force-development and combat-readiness requirements. Procurement must be conducted in accordance with the law, while procurement strategies and contract performance management should be continually improved. Qualification reviews and contract oversight must also be strengthened to safeguard national defense and security. Finally, Vice Minister Chung encouraged the Armaments Bureau to maintain close cooperation with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), guided by the principles of “establishing core capabilities, integrating resources, forming strategic alliances, and promoting specialization and cooperation.” By integrating private-sector technologies and external resources, the Bureau should expand the scale of domestic defense production. He also called on all personnel to work together under Director-General Huang’s leadership to build credible combat capabilities.

Vice Minister of National Defense for Armaments General Chung Shu-ming today chaired the 2026 selection meetings for the “Outstanding Contribution Award in All-out Defense Education” and the “Outstanding Armed Forces Personnel and Exemplary Units.” He encouraged panel members to uphold the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency, apply their professional expertise, and objectively select outstanding individuals and organizations for recognition of their contributions to all-out defense education and excellence in combat readiness and training. Both meetings were held at the Ministry’s Bo’ai Camp. At the selection meeting for the “Outstanding Contribution Award in All-out Defense Education,” Vice Minister Chung first presented certificates of appointment to the panel members, who then reviewed the individuals and organizations nominated by participating units. At the selection meeting for “Outstanding Armed Forces Personnel and Exemplary Units,” the panel evaluated personnel and units nominated following preliminary selection according to the established criteria. Once the results of both selections are formally approved, the selected individuals and organizations will be publicly recognized at the Ministry’s “2026 Armed Forces Day and All-out Defense Education Day Awards Ceremony.” On behalf of Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, Vice Minister Chung thanked the panel members for taking the time to participate. He expressed hope that they would select outstanding individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing all-out defense education, recognize their contributions to national defense, and continue supporting all-out defense education and major defense policies. Regarding the selection of “Outstanding Armed Forces Personnel and Exemplary Units,” Vice Minister Chung said the honorees represent the exceptional performance of Armed Forces personnel over the past year in combat readiness and training, military discipline, and other areas. Their selection also serves as important recognition of the dedication and hard work of frontline personnel and units. He therefore urged panel members to avoid preconceived judgments and ensure that those selected are truly worthy of serving as examples for the entire Armed Forces. Vice Minister Chung also encouraged relevant units to highlight the achievements of the selected personnel and units through a variety of publicity and media channels, showcasing their dedication to combat readiness and training and allowing their example to inspire others. At the same time, service members and units that performed exceptionally well but were not selected should also receive appropriate recognition and encouragement.

Vice Minister of National Defense General Chung Shu-ming today inspected the Armed Forces’ 2026 Fifth Theater of Operations “Military, Public, and Private Medical Integration” Exercise. Designed around realistic combat scenarios, the exercise tested the theater’s medical response capabilities under threat conditions. Participants responded calmly in accordance with standard operating procedures, fully demonstrating the resilience of the integrated medical system. Accompanied by National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan, Vice Chief of Army Lieutenant General Chang Tai-sung, Fifth Theater of Operations Commander Lieutenant General Shao Chih-chun, and Medical Affairs Bureau Director-General Lieutenant General Chen Yuan-hao, Vice Minister Chung visited Taichung Tianhou Temple, the Central Region Resources Branch of the Water Resources Agency, Asia University Hospital, and Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital this morning to observe the exercise. The exercise covered combat casualty care; medical operations at casualty collection points and battalion aid stations; operations at casualty evacuation control points and by forward surgical teams; the delivery of blood products and medical supplies by drone; mass-casualty response; the establishment of underground treatment facilities and walking blood bank operations for the immediate use of freshly donated blood; and the admission and treatment of patients at veterans homes. These activities tested the medical integration mechanism across military, public, and private institutions, as well as the effectiveness of medical support operations. Vice Minister Chung thanked the Taichung City Government, Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Quanta Computer, and other private-sector participants for contributing to the exercise, which showcased the results of cross-sector cooperation among the military, government, and private sector. Guided by the principle that “even if there is no war for a century, combat readiness cannot be neglected for a single day,” the Armed Forces will continue integrating the capabilities of central and local government agencies and the private sector to strengthen societal and medical resilience and ensure comprehensive wartime preparedness. Vice Minister Chung noted that an integrated military, public, and private medical system must be planned comprehensively in line with each theater’s overall operational concept, assessed threats, and national resilience requirements. Medical resources from the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and local providers must be integrated and appropriately allocated according to the different phases of operations and mission requirements. Civilian expertise in smart healthcare, blood supply, and drone logistics should also continue to be incorporated to enhance wartime medical support and overall medical resilience. Chung explained that the exercise not only tested medical support procedures and interagency coordination, but also provided an important opportunity to determine whether medical resources had been allocated according to actual needs. Its results will be systematically compiled through observation, analysis, and after-action reviews (AARs) to inform further improvements in training and preparedness. He further emphasized that the lessons learned should be used to develop standard operating procedures shared by military and civilian medical systems, giving every theater of operations a consistent framework to follow. Medical integration and support capabilities must continue to be refined, while exercise experience should be institutionalized. This will ensure that medical resources from all sectors can be rapidly integrated during wartime, maximize the effectiveness of medical rescue efforts, and strengthen overall emergency response capabilities.

Vice Minister for Armaments General Chung Shu-ming visited Hualien today on behalf of Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung to extend appreciation to personnel at the Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital and the Hualien-Taitung Detachment of the Armaments Bureau’s Construction and Real Estate Service Center. He thanked them for their long-standing dedication to combat readiness support and medical services and extended his early wishes for a happy Dragon Boat Festival. During the visit, Vice Minister Chung received briefings from the Hualien-Taitung Detachment of the Central Region Construction and Real Estate Division under the Armaments Bureau’s Construction and Real Estate Service Center, as well as from the Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, to gain a better understanding of their mission execution and current priorities. Regarding the operations of the Hualien-Taitung Detachment, Vice Minister Chung noted that the Hualien-Taitung region covered a vast area, making mission execution and project implementation particularly challenging. He encouraged the unit to periodically review non-essential tasks and scheduling arrangements to avoid unnecessary workloads. He also emphasized the importance of personnel succession planning and knowledge transfer to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities before experienced contract employees retired. With respect to real estate and facility management, which frequently involved land administration, inspections, and coordination with local authorities, Vice Minister Chung encouraged leaders at all levels to proactively understand on-site conditions, identify the root causes of issues, and handle related cases appropriately. After receiving the briefing from the Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Vice Minister Chung stated that military medical personnel served as both service members and healthcare professionals. In addition to providing routine medical care, they should develop a comprehensive understanding of military medicine and their roles in wartime operations. He emphasized the importance of considering the functions and responsibilities that military hospitals would assume during combat operations. He also called for closer coordination with the theater of operations and the continued refinement of casualty collection, forward medical support, treatment at designated hospitals, and medical evacuation planning through peacetime preparations, computer-assisted wargaming, and validation during the Han Kuang Exercises. Furthermore, he encouraged integration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s designated hospital network to jointly strengthen medical resilience in the Hualien region. Regarding the hospital’s future development, Vice Minister Chung stated that enhancing medical capacity required continuous improvements in facilities, professional expertise, and the quality of healthcare services. He encouraged the superintendent and supervisors at all levels not only to excel in their professional responsibilities but also to focus on the hospital’s long-term development. Through effective goal-setting, strategic planning, and performance management, they could continue improving healthcare quality and operational effectiveness. He further noted that smart healthcare would be an important area of future development. Fields such as AI-assisted clinical decision-making and healthcare system automation merit sustained investment and advancement. Vice Minister Chung encouraged all personnel to leverage collective wisdom, strengthen communication and coordination, and continue advancing the development of military medicine.

Vice Minister for Armaments Chung Shu-ming presided over the assumption of office ceremony for the Director-General of the Medical Affairs Bureau today. He encouraged the Medical Affairs Bureau, under the leadership of its new Director-General, Lieutenant General Chen Yuan-hao, to continue advancing four key priorities: strengthening medical resilience, enhancing healthcare quality, sustaining research and innovation, and expanding international exchanges. Through these efforts, he expressed hope that the Bureau would further improve the quality of military healthcare services and medical support operations. The assumption of office ceremony for the Director-General of the Medical Affairs Bureau was held this morning at Bo’ai Camp. During the ceremony, Vice Minister Chung first read the appointment order, after which Lieutenant General Chen took the oath of office and formally assumed his new position. Vice Minister Chung stated that Director-General Chen graduated from the National Defense Medical Center, Class of 1994, and earned a Doctor of Medical Science degree. Throughout his career, he served in several key positions, including Director of the Health Protection Division of the Medical Affairs Bureau, Superintendent of the Songshan Branch of Tri-Service General Hospital, President of the National Defense Medical Center, and Superintendent of Tri-Service General Hospital. Having previously served as Deputy Director-General of the Medical Affairs Bureau, Director Chen was promoted to Director-General and concurrently advanced to the rank of Lieutenant General. Vice Minister Chung noted that Director-General Chen’s extensive professional expertise and leadership experience would enable him to build upon the Bureau’s solid foundation and continue enhancing the quality of military healthcare services and medical professionalism. Vice Minister Chung pointed out that President Lai Ching-te recently presided over the inauguration ceremony of the Emergency and Critical Care Building at the Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital and affirmed the Ministry of National Defense’s commitment to safeguarding the health of service members and their dependents. He also noted that the transformation of the National Defense Medical Center into National Defense Medical University demonstrated the military medical system’s significant achievements in talent cultivation, medical education, and military medicine development. Vice Minister Chung emphasized that healthcare and medical support services constituted an essential component of the Armed Forces’ overall logistics system. From disaster response exercises and environmental sanitation maintenance within military units to battlefield triage, casualty treatment, and field medical support operations, all relied on the close cooperation of military medical personnel and medical units. He further noted that medical professionals serving in military hospitals and units at all levels provided daily healthcare and wellness support to service members, making important contributions to sustaining morale and maintaining combat readiness. Finally, Vice Minister Chung encouraged military medical personnel to continue upholding the spirit of serving service members and safeguarding the medical rights and interests of their dependents. He urged them to continuously improve the quality of healthcare services, keep pace with future developments in military medicine, integrate military operational requirements with civilian medical resources, and strengthen military medical technologies and capabilities. Through these efforts, he said, the military medical community would continue providing strong support for the Armed Forces’ combat readiness missions and achieve even greater success in the future.

On presiding over the inauguration ceremony of the “New Medical Building” at the Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital today, Vice Minister of National Defense General Chung Shu-ming emphasized that the completion of this building symbolized an overall upgrade in medical services in Taiping area, enabling local residents and service members to enjoy the highest quality and most comprehensive medical care at the Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital. Vice Minister Chung, accompanied by Navy Administrative Deputy Minister of Vice Admiral Huang Yu-min, Medical Affairs Bureau Director-General Lieutenant General Tsai Chien-sung, presided over the building inauguration ceremony this morning. After receiving a briefing, Vice Minister Chung offered guidance on enhancing medical capacity. Vice Minister Chung pointed out that “holistic patient care” as its core principle, the new Medical Building fully incorporated smart green building to optimize medical workflows and operational spaces. The hospital featured modular operating rooms and intelligent nursing stations equipped with digital electronic whiteboards, smart bedside cards, and bedside service systems, creating a safe and efficient medical environment. Since 2016, the Ministry of National Defense has promoted the “Soaring Medicine Project,” and the results are now evident. The completion of this new building represents an important milestone in the military medical system’s modernization and smart healthcare transformation. During the inspection of the new building, Vice Minister Chung interacted cordially with military medical personnel and specially encouraged them with the mottos “history, responsibility, mission,” urging them to inherit the excellent tradition, shoulder the responsibility of caring for comrades, and take safeguarding public health as their highest mission. Vice Minister Chung reminded military medical cadres, “Military medical personnel should treat patients as family,” whenever service members suffer major injuries or illnesses, the entire military feels deep sorrow, and therefore he expects the military medical system to play a pivotal role in providing the most timely and professional medical assistance. In addition, during his remarks at the ceremony, Vice Minister Chung praised Lieutenant General Tsai Chien-sung, Director-General of the Medical Affairs Bureau, who was to retire with honor on February 1. Vice Minister Chung referred to Director-General Tsai as his “good classmate” and stated that during his more than three years as Director-General, he led sustained improvements in the military medical system, achieving a balance between “field military medicine in combat theater command” and “civilian medical care” in both peacetime and wartime, making indispensable contributions to military medicine. Vice Minister Chung invited all attending guests to give Director-General Tsai a warm round of applause on the spot, publicly commending his noble spirit of dedication to medical practice. Vice Minister Chung retraced Director-General Tsai’s tenure, during which he not only promoted the transformation of the National Defense Medical Center into National Defense Medical University, established forward surgical teams, and deepened exchanges with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command for talent cultivation, but also, with a spirit of “selflessness and dedication,” let the world see Taiwan’s medical technology. He encouraged all personnel to inherit this spirit and jointly build resilient, high-quality medical capabilities.

The Deputy Minister of National Defense, General CHUNG SHU-MING, visited the Kaohsiung area today to inspect and oversee the progress of the Navy's "Weihai Project" and the construction of military dormitories. In addition to recognizing the hard work of the personnel and construction teams involved in the project, he encouraged the relevant departments to fulfill their environmental responsibilities, maintain good relations with neighborhood, and ensure the project is completed timely, safely, and with high quality. The Deputy Minister CHUNG, accompanied by Administrative Deputy Minister, Vice- Admiral HUANG YU-MIN and other related personnel, visited the Zhenghe Camp for an inspection and supervision in the morning. He firstly listened to a progress report on the execution of the "Weihai Project," then inspected the actual situations of the renovation work at the "Zhenghe Dormitory," "Haigong New Village," and "Cihui Ninth Village" and provided working guidance. The Deputy Minister CHUNG stated that the "Weihai Project" is the largest military harbor project of our country in recent years. Once completed, it will meet the support needs for vessel repairs, supply, docking, training, and typhoon precaution. This will enhance the overall combat capability and operational sustainability of the Navy, assist in developing the naval strength and ensuring the maritime borders security and the protection of national sovereignty. The Deputy Minister CHUNG reminded the relevant departments that any project comes with risks. They should objectively assess and filter potential safety hazards based on different environmental and human factors. It is essential to follow measures such as "Standard Operating Procedures," "Dual Supervision and Reporting," and "Analysis of High-Risk Safety Items for the Following Week" to implement effective risk management and achieve the goal of "safety for personnel, operations, and equipment."