President Tsai Ing-wen attends first post-pandemic in-person military graduation
As commander-in-chief of the armed forces, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the joint graduation ceremony of Taiwan’s military academies on Wednesday and conferred rank insignia to graduating trainees. She emphasized the administration’s commitment to military reform, including raising the salaries of military personnel by 4% starting 2024, to attract more talent. There were 12 exchange cadets from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies among the graduates, one of whom expressed that she would like to foster closer ties between her home country and Taiwan in her future role.
President Tsai Ing-wen was guest of honor at the joint graduation ceremony of Taiwan’s six military academies. This was the first cadet graduation that she has attended in person following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tsai Ing-wen
President
In the past three years, because of the pandemic, I could only send my wishes to you via a pre-recorded video. I am happy to be here in person today, to express my best wishes to our graduating cadets at the armed forces’ six military academies. Every rank insignia represents the start of a military officer’s honorable quest: the great responsibility of protecting our country and our people.
President Tsai presented rank insignia to representatives of the six academies, which symbolizes the responsibility these graduates now shoulder. The president also highlighted several military reform efforts under her administration.
Tsai Ing-wen
President
Starting next year we will raise the salaries of military personnel by 4%. The government will also continue to improve lodging units and facilities, to make sure that we’re giving you more support and assistance.
There were over 2,000 graduates at the ceremony from the Army, Air Force and Navy, and the military medical school. There were also 12 exchange cadets from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies.
Tsai Ing-wen
President
To international friends, I hope that once you return to your home countries, not only will you apply what you’ve learned here, but that you’ll also pass on Taiwan’s hospitality and friendliness, so that our ties as diplomatic allies can be strengthened further.
ROC Military Academy exchange cadet
I hope that our relationship between the two countries can keep growing and be stronger than before.
The exchange cadet from Eswatini said life at the military academy had been very fulfilling. She also expressed her reasons for joining the military.
ROC Military Academy exchange cadet
To protect my country, my king, my family and my friends.
Lai I-chi
ROC Naval Academy graduate
Facing an increasingly fraught state of affairs across the Taiwan Strait, I will apply what I’ve learned at the academy, have the courage to face challenges, make choices and changes, and shoulder the duty of safeguarding our territorial waters.
Tsai Ing-wen
President
We will also stand by all of you, and together, safeguard our sovereignty and uphold the values of freedom and democracy.
As commander-in-chief, the president was steadfast in her resolve to protect the homeland.
2023-06-21
