MNA

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung stated during questioning at a Legislative Yuan plenary session today that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan remain under review in accordance with established procedures and that the relevant policy has not changed. Minister Koo added that production of the F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft is being accelerated, with more than 60 aircraft currently on the production line. Once testing has been completed, Taiwan will coordinate with the United States to arrange for the aircraft to be flown to Taiwan at an appropriate time. Taiwan is also discussing non-cash compensation with the United States for the delayed deliveries. Minister Koo accompanied Premier Cho Jung-tai to the Legislative Yuan plenary session this morning and responded to questions concerning the production progress of the F-16 Block 70 aircraft and other issues. Regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Minister Koo stated that the United States has indicated that the relevant cases remain under review and that Taiwan respects the U.S. review process. The United States has also repeatedly affirmed that its arms sales plans and policy toward Taiwan remain unchanged. Taiwan therefore looks forward to the prompt completion of the review process and awaits an announcement from the United States in due course. Addressing the delivery schedule for the F-16 Block 70 aircraft, Minister Koo stated that mass production is being accelerated, with more than 60 aircraft believed to be on the production line. Some of the aircraft that have completed production will undergo testing. Once the tests are completed, Taiwan will coordinate with the United States to arrange for the aircraft to be flown to Taiwan at an appropriate time. Regarding compensation for the delayed delivery of the F-16s, Minister Koo explained that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are conducted on a government-to-government basis. Taiwan is currently discussing non-cash compensation with the United States and will continue negotiating the specific forms and arrangements involved. Regarding the supplementary budget for drone procurement, Premier Cho explained that the relevant requirements were originally to be funded through a special budget. After the government decided to proceed through the annual budget process instead, waiting for the 2027 supplementary budget could have delayed the program by a year. The funding was therefore included in the 2026 supplementary budget. Minister Koo stated that, given the urgency of acquiring the drones, the government hopes to use the supplementary budget to get the program back on its original schedule and ensure that the combat capabilities are developed as originally planned.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung told reporters today before attending a Legislative Yuan plenary session that military and defense exchanges between Taiwan and the United States have grown increasingly close. The Armed Forces continue to draw on U.S. operational experience and expert assessments to support force build-up, war preparation, and capability transformation. Regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense respects the U.S. review process and continues to coordinate with the United States. Responding to questions about Taiwan-U.S. military and defense exchanges, Minister Koo said bilateral engagement has indeed become increasingly close. Taiwan draws on U.S. operational experience and expert assessments in military and defense matters, which contributes to force build-up, war preparation, and capability transformation. He declined to disclose further details. Regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Minister Koo emphasized that the United States has repeatedly reaffirmed that its commitment to assisting Taiwan in strengthening its self-defense capabilities under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances remains unchanged. The Ministry respects the U.S. review process and continues to coordinate with the United States. It has not received any information regarding the reported “delivery in batches”. The Ministry will provide further information when available.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung accompanied Premier Cho Jung-tai to the Legislative Yuan today for the Executive Yuan’s policy report. Speaking to reporters before the session, Minister Koo stated that the newly procured F-16V fighter aircraft are progressing through production, with some having already passed the relevant tests. The Ministry of National Defense will continue coordinating closely with the U.S. program office on subsequent delivery plans. Minister Koo added that amid China’s persistent military threats against Taiwan, the Armed Forces will make all necessary combat readiness preparations based on warning indicators and the posture of the People’s Liberation Army to respond effectively to potential contingencies. Regarding the delivery of the first batch of newly procured F-16Vs, Minister Koo stated that the aircraft are proceeding through the production lines and that some have already passed the relevant tests. The Ministry will work with the relevant U.S. program office to plan subsequent deliveries while continuing close coordination with the United States on the aircraft’s flight schedule to Taiwan. Responding to public concern over the integration of the newly procured F-16Vs’ electronic warfare systems, Minister Koo clarified that there are no “ballast weights,” as some reports have claimed. Software and hardware testing for the electronic warfare systems is proceeding in accordance with established project milestones. The systems must subsequently be integrated with the new aircraft, and all related work remains on schedule. Asked about the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, Minister Koo emphasized that tChina has never abandoned its intention to annex Taiwan by force regardless of which political party or leader is in power. The Armed Forces will maintain a high level of combat readiness based on relevant warning indicators and the posture of the People’s Liberation Army, enabling them to respond to all possible scenarios.

President Lai Ching-te presided over the October 2026 Flag Officer Promotion and Rank Conferral Ceremony this morning. He stated that the Armed Forces and Coast Guard must cooperate more closely to address the rapidly changing maritime environment by sharing maritime intelligence, ensuring stable command and communications, and strengthening maritime defense capabilities. President Lai also encouraged commanders at all levels to keep abreast of developments on battlefields worldwide and incorporate these lessons into unit readiness and training, thereby further strengthening overall combat capabilities.
 The ceremony was held at the Presidential Office. Those attending included Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an; Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung; Chief of the General Staff Admiral Mei Chia-shu; Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling; and Chief of Navy Admiral Chiang Cheng-kuo. In his remarks, President Lai stated that promotion to general officer represents an important milestone in a military career and signifies an even greater responsibility entrusted by the nation. On behalf of the country, he congratulated the two officers promoted this month and thanked their family members for their support. President Lai noted that newly promoted Vice Admiral Yuan Sheng-hua has served as director of the Strategic Analysis Division under the Ministry of National Defense’s Department of Strategic Planning, commander of the Navy’s 192nd Fleet, and director of the Training and Readiness Division at Navy Command Headquarters. His extensive experience has given him an in-depth understanding of naval strategic planning, operational readiness, and training. Following his promotion, Vice Admiral Yuan has been transferred from his position as deputy chief of staff at Navy Command Headquarters to serve as deputy director-general of the Coast Guard Administration. President Lai expressed hope that Vice Admiral Yuan would draw on his experience to promote coordination between the Navy and Coast Guard, strengthen maritime intelligence sharing, and ensure close integration between maritime surveillance and reconnaissance and emergency response, enabling both organizations to jointly safeguard the nation’s maritime territory. President Lai also noted that newly promoted Rear Admiral Chen Wei-chih possesses extensive expertise in the maintenance of naval weapons, equipment, and combat systems, as well as professional technical and systems-integration capabilities. Following his promotion, Rear Admiral Chen will return to the Navy’s Combat Systems Factory as its director. The factory maintains critical equipment, including torpedoes and missiles, and provides essential support for the Navy’s combat capabilities. As next-generation naval vessels continue entering service, President Lai encouraged Rear Admiral Chen to enhance weapons systems integration, leverage emerging technologies to strengthen indigenous maintenance capabilities, and ensure that every item of equipment can perform effectively when most needed. President Lai stated that recent international developments demonstrate the increasing pace of change on modern battlefields. Gray-zone activities may occur simultaneously with cyberattacks and disinformation, while the use of artificial intelligence and unmanned systems has accelerated tactical adaptation and decision-making. These challenges, he said, underscore the need for combat capabilities that can withstand prolonged attrition. Even the most advanced equipment requires reliable maintenance capacity and skilled personnel to remain operational. President Lai emphasized that the Armed Forces and Coast Guard must cooperate more closely to respond to Taiwan’s rapidly changing maritime environment. The two organizations must share maritime intelligence and ensure that command and communications remain stable under all circumstances. He expressed confidence that Vice Admiral Yuan and Rear Admiral Chen would apply their expertise in their new positions and help strengthen Taiwan’s maritime defense capabilities. President Lai also encouraged commanders at all levels to keep abreast of new developments on battlefields worldwide and incorporate them into unit readiness and training. Command and communications systems, logistics, and equipment must be repeatedly tested through exercises. He added that leaders must understand the problems service members encounter during training and take concrete steps to resolve them. Only when every service member clearly understands the mission and is familiar with emergency response procedures can units operate steadily under pressure and build stronger overall combat capabilities. In closing, President Lai thanked the family members in attendance for their longstanding understanding and support, which have enabled the promoted officers to devote themselves fully to their duties. “The honor of today’s promotions also belongs to every family member,” he said. President Lai expressed hope that the people of Taiwan would continue working together to safeguard national security and the stability of people’s lives.

Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung accompanied Premier Cho Jung-tai to the Legislative Yuan today for the Executive Yuan’s policy report. Speaking to reporters before the session, Minister Koo stated that production of the F-16V fighter aircraft has progressed to the point where they are now ready for delivery. The Armed Forces are continuing preparations to receive the aircraft in accordance with plans established by the U.S. program office. Minister Koo added that following the Trump-Xi meeting, the United States has repeatedly affirmed that its policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. All arms sales and related cooperation continue to move forward, and Taiwan has received no notification of any changes to date. Responding to media questions regarding the F-16V delivery schedule, Minister Koo confirmed that production of the aircraft has reached the point at which they are ready for delivery. Preparations to receive the aircraft are continuing in accordance with the U.S. program office’s plans. Once the schedule for flying the aircraft back to Taiwan has been confirmed, the Ministry of National Defense will provide further information at an appropriate time. Regarding the inability to complete delivery of all F-16Vs by the end of this year and possible subsequent compensation measures, Minister Koo explained that foreign military sales agreements do not include penalty provisions but do provide for compensatory measures. The United States has demonstrated goodwill, and the Armed Forces will continue coordinating with the U.S. side. Further details will be announced once a specific arrangement has been finalized. Asked whether the Trump-Xi meeting might affect U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Minister Koo stated that the Ministry has repeatedly received assurances from the United States that its policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. Consultations with the United States on the relevant arms sales are continuing, and Taiwan has received no notification of any changes to the specific cooperation arrangements for any of the cases.

President Lai Ching-te traveled to Chiayi this morning to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Minxiong Aerospace and UAV Industrial Park of the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), as well as the inauguration of the institute’s Minxiong Campus. The ceremony marked a major milestone in Taiwan’s aerospace and drone development. President Lai stated that amid changes in the international security environment, unmanned systems have become an essential component of modern defense. With world-class semiconductor and information and communications technology capabilities, as well as a strong foundation in precision manufacturing, Taiwan is well positioned to develop the industry. The government, he said, will continue investing resources and deepening cooperation with democratic partners to build a safer and more resilient drone supply chain, gradually establishing Taiwan as “Asia’s hub for democratic drone supply chains.” Upon arrival, President Lai first visited the Fude Temple to pray for the project’s success. He then joined attending guests for the groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies before touring the hangar facilities. In his remarks, President Lai stated that the newly inaugurated Minxiong Campus is located on the eastern side of the site. NCSIST invested more than NT$1.1 billion to construct a drone systems integration and testing hangar, research facilities, an R&D building, and supporting infrastructure. The campus will undertake the research, development, testing, verification, and production of military-grade drones. The industrial park that broke ground today is located on the western side of the site. The central government is investing nearly NT$6.9 billion in the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2028. The park will include production facilities, laboratory equipment, a flight-testing site, and R&D spaces, attracting companies from Taiwan and abroad. President Lai stated that the opening of the Minxiong Campus signifies the establishment of national-level drone R&D and production capacity in Chiayi. The industrial park will promote the transfer of related technologies and capabilities to the private sector, supporting the large-scale development of Taiwan’s drone industry and transforming Chiayi from an R&D and testing base into a key national hub for drone development. The President said that today’s achievements represent years of cooperation between the central and local governments. Former President Tsai Ing-wen inaugurated the Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center in 2022, construction of the Minxiong Campus began in 2023, and today marks both the campus’s inauguration and the start of construction on the industrial park. President Lai recalled visiting the Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center and meeting with industry representatives before assuming office in 2024. Their ambition and ability to take action further convinced him that Taiwan possessed the capabilities needed to develop a competitive drone industry. Today’s ceremony, he said, represents an important step toward making Taiwan “Asia’s hub for democratic drone supply chains.” President Lai commended the Chiayi County Government for repurposing existing school buildings to establish the Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center during the early stages of the industry’s development and for proactively seeking central government resources. He also thanked Legislator Tsai Yi-yu and other legislators for securing support in the Legislative Yuan and helping advance the related projects. The President emphasized that Chiayi’s transformation in recent years demonstrates how visionary and effective local governance can change a city’s future. He expressed hope that Chiayi will continue steadily along this path of transformation. President Lai stated that the strategic significance of these initiatives has become increasingly evident amid changes in the international landscape. From the battlefield in Ukraine to security in the Indo-Pacific, unmanned systems have become a vital element of modern defense. Taiwan possesses world-class capabilities in semiconductors and information and communications technology, as well as a strong foundation in precision manufacturing. From last year through 2030, the Ministry of Economic Affairs plans to invest NT$44.2 billion to comprehensively strengthen the drone industry and support its continued development. President Lai further pointed out that Taiwan’s drone industry generated NT$12.9 billion in output last year, more than 2.5 times the figure recorded the previous year. More than 267 companies are currently engaged in systems integration and the manufacture of critical components. These achievements demonstrate that Taiwan’s drone industry is expanding rapidly. Going forward, the government will create stable demand to encourage companies to invest in R&D and expand mass production. It will also assist companies in obtaining international certifications, enabling Taiwan to progress from a supplier of components to a provider of complete system solutions and trusted production capacity. President Lai also called on legislators across party lines to support the Ministry of National Defense’s proposed supplementary budget of nearly NT$60 billion. The funding would be used to procure products from domestic companies and promote the independent development of Taiwan’s drone industry. He remarked that Taiwan’s drone industry “has everything in place and needs only one final push,” and urged the Legislative Yuan to lend its support. The President stated that Taiwan must also deepen cooperation with democratic partners to jointly build a safer and more resilient drone supply chain, providing strong support for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Chiayi, he said, is the central base for advancing this national strategy. Chiayi has long been one of Taiwan’s leading agricultural counties. The Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center in Taibao, the NCSIST Minxiong Campus, the Chiayi Coastal Unmanned Vehicle Testing Zone, and the industrial park that broke ground today are now becoming interconnected, gradually forming Taiwan’s most comprehensive drone development base. President Lai congratulated and thanked Chiayi County for taking on this important mission for Taiwan at this pivotal moment. President Lai emphasized that the central government will continue working alongside local government to help the industry establish firm roots and cultivate local talent. These efforts will provide more young people with opportunities to build their careers in Chiayi while ensuring that the benefits of major national initiatives are shared by the public. The National Science and Technology Council recently announced a public consultation on the Chiayi Science Park Expansion Project (Phase II Expansion). The expanded park is expected to accommodate industries including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, silicon photonics, quantum computing, and next-generation communications technologies such as 5G and 6G. President Lai expressed hope that the future leaders of Chiayi County and Chiayi City will continue working together to foster prosperity and development across the region while supporting Taiwan’s security and the growth of its advanced industries. In closing, President Lai wished the Minxiong Campus every success in its operations and expressed hope that the industrial park would be completed on schedule and to the required standards. Also attending the event were National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu; Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung; Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin; NCSIST President Li Shih-chiang; Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang; and Legislators Tsai Yi-yu, Wang Mei-hui, Wang Yi-chuan, Wang Ting-yu, Chen Kuan-ting, and Wang An-hsiang.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, Vice Minister of National Defense General Chung Shu-ming visited Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital today. On behalf of Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, he thanked the hospital’s medical personnel for their longstanding dedication to safeguarding the health of service members and the public. He also encouraged the hospital to strengthen its management and leadership, continue enhancing its medical capacity, and steadily advance toward its goal of becoming a medical center. Accompanied by Hospital Superintendent Major General Chen I-hung and other officials, Vice Minister Chung received a briefing on the hospital’s operations and future development plans. He also provided guidance on management and leadership, organizational development, and medical capacity. Vice Minister Chung stated that professional expertise and management and leadership skills are distinct capabilities. Department heads and managerial personnel must therefore continue developing their professional expertise while also considering how best to lead their teams, build consensus, and ensure the hospital’s steady development. Vice Minister Chung said that the hospital should use the OGSM framework, comprising objectives, goals, strategies, and measures, to establish its overall direction and specific development strategies. These objectives should then be translated into concrete key performance indicators for each department. Regular reviews and ongoing adjustments will help ensure that all initiatives remain aligned with the hospital’s established objectives. He added that the hospital should draw on the collective wisdom within the organization, with all departments working together to develop feasible strategies. This would create an operating model in which policies are established from the top down and strategies are developed from the bottom up. “People are the foundation of every organizational culture,” Vice Minister Chung emphasized. Since people are central to organizational development, supervisors implementing policies and reforms must prioritize communication and consensus-building, enabling personnel to understand the organization’s direction and willingly contribute to its development. He added that those who identify problems or offer criticism should also propose specific solutions. Through collective participation and continuous improvement, personnel can contribute to the organization’s growth. Vice Minister Chung stated that military hospitals differ from civilian hospitals. In addition to providing medical services, they undertake multiple responsibilities, including military medicine and support for national healthcare policies. Military hospitals must therefore carefully consider their institutional role and future direction. While strengthening medical expertise and service quality, they should also expand their medical capacity, establish a strong reputation, and gradually broaden their scope of services and enhance their overall competitiveness. During the visit, Vice Minister Chung also met with hospital administrative specialist Chin Liang-feng to check on his well-being and rehabilitation progress. He encouraged Chin to maintain his determination, continue making steady progress in rehabilitation, and work toward a full recovery. Vice Minister Chung also extended early Mid-Autumn Festival greetings to Chin and all medical personnel.

Ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Vice Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien visited reserve, finance, and armaments units in the Kaohsiung and Pingtung area today on behalf of Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung. He reviewed the status of their missions, commended the dedicated service of military personnel, military academy cadets, and reserve advisory cadres, and extended early holiday greetings. Accompanied by the All-out Defense Mobilization Agency Deputy Director-General Major General Wu Lai-yi, the Comptroller Bureau Deputy Director Major General Hsin Yi-tsung, and 4th Theaters of Operations Combat Zone Deputy Political Warfare Director Colonel Chou, Vice Minister Hsu visited the Pingtung County Reserve Command, Pingtung Finance Group, the Armaments Bureau’s 205th Arsenal, and the Republic of China Air Force Academy. During the visits, Vice Minister Hsu reviewed the units’ missions and the progress of their recent major tasks. He also interacted with military personnel, cadets, and reserve advisory cadres and presented additional meal allowances , encouraging them to remain steadfast at their posts, continue honing their professional capabilities, and contribute collectively to national security. At the Pingtung County Reserve Command, Vice Minister Hsu asked about difficulties encountered while validating wartime disaster scenarios during the Urban Resilience Exercise. He emphasized that exercises are intended to identify problems. Units should continually review their manpower and materiel requirements, conduct practical inventories of available resources, and promptly address deficiencies so that their preparations reflect actual needs. During a discussion with reserve advisory cadres, Vice Minister Hsu stated, “It is an honor to wear the vest representing reserve forces and all-out defense.” He thanked and commended each cadre for their dedication to national defense and for serving as an important link between the military, local governments, and the public. Vice Minister Hsu also praised the Pingtung Finance Group for its performance and instructed the unit to strengthen financial education and risk awareness among service members, helping them develop sound financial concepts and safeguarding unit security. During his visit to the Armaments Bureau’s 205th Arsenal, Vice Minister Hsu reviewed the relocation and reconstruction of the facility, the progress of its projects, and the management and deployment of production-line personnel. He also inspected the ammunition production line and complete-round assembly lines to learn about their operating processes and commended all personnel for their contributions. Later, while meeting with cadets at the Republic of China Air Force Academy, Vice Minister Hsu drew on his experience as a scholar and his service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security Council, and Ministry of National Defense. Emphasizing that “democracy must be defended,” he commended every cadet who had chosen a military career and was taking concrete action to protect the nation. He also encouraged the cadets with the principles of “a person of character attending to the fundamentals” and “believe in oneself. ” By investing time and patience in performing and understanding every mission, he said, they would ultimately achieve success.

President Lai Ching-te recently traveled to Pingtung to observe the “2026 Joint Precision Missile-Firing Exercise” and extend Mid-Autumn Festival greetings to service members. After reviewing the exercise firsthand, President Lai commended the Armed Forces for demonstrating joint operational capabilities and the results of rigorous training through realistic exercises. He emphasized that the government will continue supporting enhanced training and equipment modernization to strengthen combat readiness and safeguard national security. Upon arrival, President Lai first inspected the safety control center and observed a live-fire exercise. He also presented meal supplement funds in recognition of the participating service members’ hard work. In his remarks, President Lai thanked all personnel and supporting units involved in the exercise. He stated that whether conducting live-fire missions or providing logistical and technical support, the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by service members were essential to the successful completion of the mission. President Lai explained that precision missile-firing exercises are vital for evaluating weapon effectiveness, training results, and the joint operational capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Every stage, from exercise planning and equipment preparation to firing operations and logistical support, must be executed with precision. During the three-day exercise, participating units conducted joint air defense, counterstrike operations, naval-air coordination, littoral strikes, and coastal defense missions in accordance with the Taiwan-Penghu Defense Operations Plan. All exercise objectives were successfully achieved, demonstrating the results of the Armed Forces’ rigorous day-to-day training. President Lai noted that the exercise was conducted under realistic combat conditions, thoroughly testing the command-and-control and coordinated operational capabilities of all service branches. In particular, several types of attack drones were incorporated into a joint operational exercise for the first time. The coordinated employment of unmanned systems and conventional weapons reflects the evolving nature of modern warfare and will accelerate improvements in the Armed Forces’ overall combat capabilities. President Lai added that the exercise demonstrated to the people of Taiwan and the international community that the Armed Forces have both the confidence and capability to defend national sovereignty and fulfill their responsibility to maintain regional peace and stability. The President stated that peace does not come easily and must be safeguarded through firm resolve and sufficient strength. Every realistic exercise further enhances combat capabilities and readiness, strengthening the nation’s ability to defend peace. The professionalism and discipline displayed by service members in carrying out their missions provide the strongest foundation for national security and underpin the people’s trust in the Armed Forces. President Lai emphasized that the government will continue supporting the Armed Forces in enhancing training and modernizing equipment while also improving service members’ working conditions and welfare. He urged commanders at all levels to lead their units effectively and take good care of their personnel, enabling service members to focus on training and perform their duties with peace of mind. The President also encouraged all service members to continue honing their combat skills, remain steadfast at their posts, and complete every combat-readiness mission to jointly safeguard national security and protect Taiwan’s democratic and free way of life. President Lai was accompanied by Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an; National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu; Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung; Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling; National Security Council Advisor Liu Te-chin; National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lii Wen; Chief of Army General Lu Kun-hsiu; Chief of Navy Admiral Chiang Cheng-kuo; Deputy Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Hsu Chin-teng; Deputy Chief of Air Force Lieutenant General Wang Te-yang; and National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology President Li Shih-chiang.

President Lai Ching-te traveled to Taitung today to observe the “2026 National Disaster Prevention Day Large-Scale Earthquake Mobilization Exercise.” He commended the central and local governments for jointly completing the exercise and stated that the government will continue strengthening “whole-of-society defense resilience” through exercises, expanded training for disaster-prevention specialists, and deeper international cooperation. These efforts, he said, will comprehensively enhance disaster-response capabilities and protect people’s lives and property. Taiwan will also continue building resilience and making greater contributions to disaster prevention, emergency response, and humanitarian relief throughout the region and around the world. President Lai began his visit at Taitung Seashore Park, where he received briefings on the operations of the forward command post and the Taitung City Emergency Operations Center. He then observed exercises conducted by the Central Government Coordination Center, the Taitung Forward Command Post, the information and communications operations area, and emergency medical response teams. The President subsequently visited Taitung County Stadium to observe the establishment and operation of an emergency shelter before proceeding to the Fengtian Fire Station of the Taitung Battalion under the Taitung County Fire Department, where he reviewed exercises simulating conditions in a disaster-stricken area. In his remarks, President Lai noted that next week marks the 27th anniversary of the 1999 Jiji Earthquake and Taiwan’s National Disaster Prevention Day. He thanked participants who had traveled from across Taiwan and abroad to take part in the “large-scale earthquake mobilization exercise.” Over three consecutive days, participating units jointly responded to a challenging scenario involving a magnitude 7.3 earthquake under near-realistic simulated conditions in the southern East Rift Valley. The exercise also tested Taiwan’s ability to respond to a large-scale disaster, and President Lai expressed his appreciation for everyone’s dedication and hard work. President Lai stated that this year’s National Disaster Prevention Day exercise brought together more than 150 search-and-rescue and emergency medical personnel from 11 countries. 75 members of international observer delegations and representatives from 18 foreign missions in Taiwan were also present to exchange expertise. By training together during peacetime, participants can establish common procedures and build coordination and mutual understanding. When disaster strikes, these preparations enable a stronger and more effective response, allowing participants to help save lives anywhere in the world. President Lai added that “when the government is prepared, the private sector is capable, society has trust, and international partners support one another, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific become more resilient.” The President explained that this year’s exercise followed a “limited-notice, unscripted format” and simulated damage to critical infrastructure and the disruption of external assistance to test a range of response capabilities. Drawing on lessons from Typhoon Danas and the Matai’an Creek barrier-lake disaster last year, the exercise incorporated backup mechanisms for communications outages as well as the evacuation and sheltering of displaced residents, thereby strengthening disaster-response coordination between the central and local governments. President Lai emphasized that only by taking a pragmatic approach and continually pursuing improvement can Taiwan comprehensively enhance its disaster-response capabilities, protect lives and property, and maintain the normal functioning of society. This, he said, is the central objective of Taiwan’s “whole-of-society defense resilience” initiative. The President further stated that Taiwan’s special search-and-rescue teams have established a rotational duty system, enabling them to be placed on standby within four hours of a major disaster. Taiwan has both the capability and the willingness to work alongside international partners in humanitarian relief operations whenever the global community is in need. “Taiwan belongs to the world,” President Lai said. Taiwan is willing to learn from the world and share its experience in return. It will continue strengthening its resilience and contributing more to disaster prevention, emergency response, and humanitarian relief throughout the region and around the world. President Lai concluded by thanking the Taitung and Hualien county governments for organizing the exercise, as well as central government ministries and agencies, 19 city and county governments, the Armed Forces, telecommunications providers, the Tzu Chi Foundation, and all participating civic organizations. He again thanked Taiwan’s international partners for their support and expressed hope for greater cooperation and exchanges in the future. Also attending the exercise were Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an; National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu; National Security Council Advisor Liu Te-chin; Deputy Secretaries-General Lin Fei-fan and Lii Wen; Executive Yuan Minister without Portfolio Chi Lien-cheng; Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang; Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung; Legislator Chen Ying; Taitung County Deputy Magistrate Wang Chih-hui; American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene; Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Marie-Louise Hannan; the Swedish Trade & Invest Council Representative Carl Michael Gräns; Singapore Trade Office in Taipei Representative Foo Teow Lee; and representatives of other foreign missions in Taiwan.