Taipei, March 1 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Saturday that there should be no lowering of Taiwan's guard concerning national defense and combat readiness, especially as mainland China refuses to renounce the threat of force against Taiwan.
The president made the remarks when he took part in a military service day activity in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan.
Chen noted that since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, a new threat to world security has dawned and the "ultra-limit warfare, " which seeks to combine all sorts of terrorist tactics, has completely changed the definition of national security.
He said the defense of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu should be total and there should be no difference as to which parts are regarded as frontline areas and which are the rear.
For this reason, he urged the nation to unify behind the government and remain vigilant so as to ensure an effective national security network.
Chen also said that there has been a great deal of progress in military service administration in recent years, which should continue to be upgraded according to just and open principles.
He also spoke of the alternative military service option implemented in July 2000 for conscripts and pointed out that the Ministry of National Defense is preparing to start recruiting a volunteer contingent this year, which he said will be a landmark in the nation's military service system.