Defense News

2025/01/14

Ministry of National Defense Press Release on Chinese Communist Party Conducting Joint Combat Readiness Patrol

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Date: January 14, 2025, 12:30 PM

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced today (14th) starting at 08:20 AM, the military detected a series of activities involving 22 sorties of Chinese aircraft and drones, including J-16 fighter jets and KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft. These sorties conducted operations over the Taiwan Strait, with 19 of them crossing the median line and its extended line, entering Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern, and eastern airspace. The activities were coordinated with Chinese naval vessels as part of a "Joint Combat Readiness Patrol."

In response, the ROC Armed Forces immediately implemented joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance measures to closely monitor the situation. In addition, mission aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal defense systems were dispatched for appropriate handling.

2025/01/14

Ministry of National Defense Press Release on The Adjustment of Senior Appointments in Defense

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: January 14, 2025, 7:00 PM

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced today (14th) that the following adjustments, approved by the president, have been made to senior appointments in Defense:

1.The Chief of Army, General Chung Shu-Ming will be appointed as the new Deputy Minister of Armaments. Lieutenant General Lu Kun-Xiu, the current Deputy Chief of Army, who will be promoted to General, will be appointed as the new Chief of Army.

2.Lieutenant General Lu Kun-Xiu, the new Chief of Army, is a graduate of the 77th class of the Military Academy, the 94th class of the War College, and holds a Master's degree in Senior Management from National Sun Yat-sen University. He has held several important positions, including the Presidential Security Chief, Commander of the 8th Army Corps, and Deputy Commander of the Army General Headquarters. His comprehensive academic background and military experience have made significant contributions, particularly in military strategy and combat readiness during his tenure. He has now been specially promoted and appointed as the Chief of Army to continue advancing various defense and military preparedness with his extensive experience.

3.The appointments will take effect on January 16, 2025.

About MND

The ROC Constitution stipulates that the ROC national defense aims to defend the nation's security and safeguard world peace. Under this, the nation's defense concepts, military strategies, military buildup, and objectives are formulated to prevent conflict. The current international situation and changes to the possible threat to the ROC are also taken into consideration in the making of defense policies at the current stage. The basic objectives are "preventing war," "defending the homeland," and "countering terrorism and responding to contingencies." The higher strategic goal is "effective deterrence, resolute defense" with the establishment of a quality self-defensive force capable of counterattack. China, though calling for reunification, has never renounced the use of force against Taiwan. It has not only deployed an increasing number of ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan but also staged large-scale military exercises with an overt saber-rattling intent to destabilize Taiwan politically and economically. Moreover, its robust economic expansion in recent years has fueled its defense spending for greater military muscle. In order to maintain Cross-Strait stability and avoid a military imbalance in the Taiwan Strait, the ROC government is calling for the establishment of confidence-building measures (CBMs) and a code of conduct on the one hand, and, on the other hand, has been constructing basic defense forces and counterattack capability to safeguard the territory without engaging in an arms race with the other side.

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