President Chen Shui-bian this morning presided over a ceremonial event marking the commissioning of the Kidd-class destroyers -- "Keelung" and "Suao," and witnessed with all military men and women, as well as people of Taiwan, the two navy ships' joining in the service which will strengthen the country's military power in terms of safeguarding the security of the Taiwan Strait.
President Chen mentioned in his speech key issues, including "strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capability to effectively prevent military balance from tilting toward China." The President expressed his willingness to invite once again leaders of all political parties and of the Legislature to think twice regarding the arms issue and to conduct dialogues in a peaceful manner. He called on all political parties to cast aside ideological differences as the elections were over now and to discuss objectively Taiwan's national security and cross-Strait stability, allowing the three major arms procurement bills to be fully discussed during this legislative session.
The commissioning ceremony of "Keelung" and "Suao" was presided over by President Chen, who presented flags and orders to the captains. The captains then presented a model of the Kidd-class destroyer to the President. After delivering the speech, the President boarded the "Keelung" for a briefing and then toured the "Suao" taking photos with sailors. President Chen later returned to the "Keelung" and paid a visit to a helicopter hangar on the ship.