Being back again at Tso Ying naval base is not only a consolation for me, but it is also a touching moment. On May 2, when I was visiting the Marshall Islands, I invited President Kessai Note to board with me this very ship of the Navy's 2005 friendship flotilla second training detachment to have breakfast together. Then the ships of the detachment safely escorted me to visit Kiribati and Tuvalu, writing a new page in the ROC armed forces' participation in diplomacy.
This is why I am very touched, and very proud that I could come back to Tso Ying to welcome you back home. Besides recompensing you for your efforts during the trip and for the efficiency of being ready in less than three days to set sail, I would like to raise my thumb and tell everyone, "The nation is proud of its Navy, I am proud of you, comrades-in-arms!"
I remember during my stay at the Marshall Islands, President Note especially invited me to ride on a traditional pirogue. When we are on a same boat, the boat cannot navigate with only a captain or a helmsman. The captain's or the helmsman's responsibility is to plan the journey, lead the right direction and to command. However, every single sailor's contribution is still needed for a smooth journey.
You are the elites of the Navy, backbones of the armed forces, and you all know better than anyone the importance of mutual assistance and achieving a same goal. If the armed forces were like a ship, every person, down from the seaman second class to the captain, has his responsibility and role to play and everyone of them is irreplaceable. This is also holds true that if Taiwan were a ship, everybody, from the general public, political figures to government officials, even to the president, also has a role to play.
Personal and political party interests are important. But when you are faced with big storms, all those who are on board the same ship would have no other choice but to put the safety of all of them above the consideration of individual and party interests, by joining hands to overcome the difficulties and challenges and to sail to a peaceful future.
"Be ready at any time and make the punch at the critical moment" is the requirement of the armed forces. It is also the response that I expect of you as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Though China has never stopped bullying Taiwan in the international community, A-bian has deep faith that by showing our sincerity and determination and by proceeding step by step, nothing is impossible to achieve.
Taking the detachment's successful trip to the southern Pacific islands as an example, it proved that the regular trainings and preparations have been well done so that you could have been ready to depart in such a short notice. With team spirit and comradeship, the navy's "Anchor spirit" was carried out to its fullest to accomplish this "impossible mission."
The detachment's 30-day mission was executed in coordination with the "Han Kuang 21" military exercise, as an assignment that was given under special circumstances. It was a new drill in the navy's history. At the beginning of your mission, some quarters even questioned the purpose of undertaking such an assignment by diverting the military exercise's unit to engage in an unrelated and unimportant thing.
I would like to emphasize that "the Navy represents the country, the fleet symbolizes the extension of the country's territory". In order to strengthen the relation with the country's diplomatic allies, we went as far as to the countries in the South Pacific Ocean in this "Island Partners, Sunshine Tour." Although the weather and other conditions of the visited countries were not ideal, or might be said that you had to endure difficult situations, but by seeing the high spirit of you, gentlemen, you represented the might and image of the country and the armed forces. And you had won the praise of our allies. I believe that the exhaustion you endured had already gone now.
I believe that you have witnessed the results of this trip after you came back. Not only the expatriates of our country made very good comment about us, which represents a success of our visit to the Fiji Islands, the Republic of Nauru also re-established diplomatic ties with our country, as well as the Fiji Island that spoke for us when Taiwan was making efforts to join the World Health Organization and the World Health Assembly. Only if we don't give up and keep the faith and determination can we reach our goal. There is nothing impossible on earth.
The government's primary task, as well as mine, is to stabilize the situation over the Taiwan Strait, assure peace and sustainable development of the country, especially at this time when the People's Republic of China is heightening its threat on Taiwan day by day. Recently, it was the ninth time that Taiwan applied to join the World Health Assembly, but it failed because of China's pressure. This is a proof that China hasn't changed at all its policy to oppress Taiwan. The two-faced strategy is still the united front strategy of the Chinese government.
This is why I would like to emphasize again that there is no national security without a strong armed forces; there is no dignity of living and bargaining chip without a concrete self-defense capability.
The weapon purchase deal aimed at acquiring three major items which are important to national security, thus there should not be disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties. We regret that some people from the opposition parties still want to boycott the arms deal by obstructing the bill to pass the Procedures Committee of the Legislature. But if we keep on communicating and persuading them, we have faith the people in the country will support the arms purchase deal to strengthen national security.
The Navy is endowed with "flexibility", "maneuverability" and "internationalism". The friendship flotilla's duty is the best training for the fleet. This is why the assignment this time is not an extra burden. It is in fact a proof of maneuverability and military might. It is also a reflection of Taiwan's defense being aggressive and effective. I would like to express my affirmation towards all the members of the Navy for their efforts in training and preparedness.
A well-trained armed forces is the best advertisement for the country, and it is also the best way to build up people's confidence. The Navy in particular is a high-tech force. Under the leadership of Defense Minister Lee Jye and Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm. Chen Pang-chih, the Navy has become the great wall over the Taiwan Strait that protects Taiwan with its internationalized vision, training and well preparedness.
May the Navy prevail! May the Republic of China prevail!
Gentlemen, I wish you health, luck and success.