Taipei, Dec. 30 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday that his administration will integrate national resources for balanced development in the economy and the military.
Chen made the pledge at a ceremony where 41 military officers were promoted to major generals or lieutenant generals.
Chen encouraged the newly promoted generals to redouble their efforts and shoulder even greater responsibilities in order to accelerate military modernization and beef up defense capabilities.
With the threats to national security diversifying, Chen said, the nation must integrate its national resources to boost advancement on both the economic and defense fronts.
Chen said Taiwan must step up its military build-up based on the principle of "all people defense" by pooling resources in the military, government and civil sectors to enhance the military's combat capabilities.
He also called on all military service personnel to dedicate themselves to safeguarding national security.