President Ma Ying-jeou headed to the ROC Military Academy in Kaohsiung City this morning to attend ceremonies commemorating the 70th anniversary of the ROC victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, and celebrating the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Whampoa Military Academy. Speaking to the assembled veterans of that war and Whampoa alumni, the president recounted the trials and tribulations of the War of Resistance, described commemorative events the government will be holding this year, and highlighted concrete achievements that have enhanced military preparedness and streamlined the nation's armed forces.
After touchdown in Kaohsiung, the president reviewed troops from the ROC army, navy, and air force academies and National Defense University units, praising the ground troops for displaying the streamlined and confident character of the nation's future military forces.
Following the review, the president presented medals commemorating victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan to 25 veterans participating in the war. On behalf of the government and people of the ROC, he then expressed the highest regard and unending gratitude to countless ROC soldiers who sacrificed their youth and lives to safeguard the nation during the War of Resistance.
In remarks, the president noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of both victory in the war against Japanese aggression and the retrocession of Taiwan. Looking back on that eight-year war, he recounted a litany of hardships. ROC forces, at a distinct disadvantage due to their outdated weapons and equipment, nevertheless engaged the Japanese in a bitter and bloody war that included 22 major battles, 1,117 large-scale campaigns, and over 38,000 smaller engagements. Over 3.22 million ROC troops, including 268 commanding officers, lost their lives, along with more than 20 million civilians. The most extensive war of resistance against foreign aggression in the history of the Chinese people, the War of Resistance Against Japan also called for the greatest sacrifices, and had the most far-reaching implications.
The president went on to point out that the ROC's greatest contribution to the Allied efforts in World War II was to keep the bulk of Japanese forces engaged on the battlefields of China. In his 2014 book titled Forgotten Ally: China's World War II, 1937-1945, Professor Rana Mitter of Oxford University describes how ROC forces fought a protracted war against massive odds, unwilling to surrender or compromise. Their efforts tied down some 800,000 technologically and militarily advanced Japanese troops, preventing them from more extensive engagement in the Pacific Theater. That allowed other Allied forces to fight on two fronts at once, in Europe and Asia, and ultimately win World War II.
The president then recalled ROC-US military cooperation during World War II, citing how the Flying Tigers, led by General Claire Chennault, fought side-by-side with the ROC air force to resist the Japanese while making an indelible mark in the annals of military history. In 1943, for example, ROC and US airmen joined forces in India to form the Chinese-American Composite Wing and successfully attacked Japanese airbases, seriously diminishing Japanese air capabilities. That changed the narrative of the war and allowed the Allies to snatch victory from defeat, confirming the maxim that the truly virtuous never stand alone.
The president emphasized that in looking at this important period in military history, when the very survival of the ROC hung in the balance, he has always insisted that the errors of history may be forgiven, but the truths of history cannot be forgotten, and that we cannot allow those errors to be repeated. In fact, since he became mayor of Taipei City back in 1998, President Ma has attended 42 events commemorating the ROC's War of Resistance, showing just how important he feels it is to preserve that conflict's historical facts, and commemorate its heroes.
To honor the 70th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, the president stated that various government agencies have already planned a series of commemorative events, including special exhibits of archival materials and "open house" activities at various military bases and facilities to show the significance of War of Resistance history. One such activity will be a National Forces Combat Capability Display on July 4 at the national military review facility in Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, showing how potent our well-trained armed forces are.
Continuing his description of activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of victory over Japan, the president said that the government has invited retired British Army captain Gerald Fitzpatrick, a witness to the Victory at Yenangyaung in 1942, to visit Taiwan later this year. Descendants of other important foreign personages from that era have also been invited, such as Professor Thomas Rabe, the grandson of the German businessman John Rabe who saved many Chinese lives during the Nanjing Massacre. Other invitees include descendants of General James Doolittle, leader of the daring Tokyo air raid in 1942, and Nell Calloway, the granddaughter of General Claire Chennault of Flying Tiger, along with other heroes from those squadrons. The grandson of General Albert Wedemeyer, the commanding general of the China theater from 1944 to 1946, and descendants of missionary Minnie Vautrin, Acting Dean of Ginling Girls College and known as the "American Goddess at the Rape of Nanking," who helped save the lives of more than 10,000 Chinese citizens, have also been invited. Gathering the invitees to attend these commemorative activities lets people know that the ROC remembers and appreciates the critical contributions that their forebearers made during the War of Resistance Against Japan. It also helps them understand we are the ethnic Chinese who attach utmost importance to that conflict.
Turning to the ROC military's achievements in preparedness and reform, the president noted that over the past few years the military has continued to emphasize innovation and enhanced asymmetric war capabilities. ROC forces have thus aggressively promoted military preparedness to achieve resolute defense and effective deterrence. The Panshi Fast Combat Support Ship and Tuojiang Stealth Littoral Combat Ship commissioned at the Zuoying Naval Base at the end of this past March, the test-firing videos of the Sky Bow III and Hsiung Feng III missiles that were released for the first time last December, upgrades for our Indigenous Defense Fighters, and the on-going Wan Chien (Ten Thousand Swords in Chinese) Joint Standoff Weapon are all concrete examples that reflect the ROC military's efforts to become more self-reliant.
Responding to the various forms that war may take in the future, in 2012 the ROC government began to promote the idea of a voluntary military force to enhance combat capabilities, rationalize manpower utilization, and lower social costs. And thanks to the concerted efforts of the relevant government agencies, significant results have already been achieved. So last year, for instance, we originally anticipated recruiting 10,500 people, but over 30,000 signed up. In the end, 15,024 people were recruited, exceeding the expected goal by over 4,000. The re-enlistment rate also climbed from 42% to 61%. So as of the middle of May this year, 5,400 people enlisted to serve in the military, which is 3,700 more than the same period last year. The re-enlistment rate for volunteers also reached 63.8%, 10 percentage points higher than the average rate over the past two years.
The president also mentioned that there have been several recent lapses in military discipline in the areas of regulations on receiving visitors to military bases, military material management, information security, and gender equality. These incidents have led to sharp criticism of the military throughout society. But in fact, the vast majority of military personnel are appreciated by the public for what they are—loyal and dependable patriots who faithfully and diligently carry out their professional duties. Going forward, he thus expects and encourages the military to face things squarely, critically review its performance, carry out comprehensive reform, and continue to exhibit the "Whampoa Spirit," thereby making a contribution to the nation.