Taipei, June 26 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged the armed forces Thursday to press ahead with military reforms and strengthen their ability to carry out joint operations.
Presiding over a ceremony at the Ministry of National Defense to mark the promotion of 35 generals, Chen said a powerful armed forces is the cornerstone of the country's development. He exhorted the senior military officers to whip the military into a force that can cope with any military challenges.
The armed forces' role is all the more important in light of Beijing's increasing hostility toward Taiwan.
He also congratulated the 35 officers, four of whom were promoted from major general (or real admiral in the navy) to lieutenant generals (or navy vice admirals) and 31 of whom were promoted from colonel (or captain in the navy) to major general (or rear admiral in the navy).