President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of October 30 with American Veterans (AMVETS) National Commander John H. Mitchell and Mrs. Mitchell. In addition to welcoming them to Taiwan to attend Veterans Day activities, the president also expressed hope that Taiwan can learn from the experience of the United States in implementing an all-volunteer military system here.
In remarks, President Ma stated that AMVETS and the AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary have approximately 250,000 members, with branches all over the globe. He also noted that the Executive Yuan's Veterans Affairs Council maintains close relations with AMVETS.
The president remarked that over the past seven or eight decades, the ROC's military has made enormous contributions by recovering Taiwan from Japan, protecting Taiwan, aiding in the development of Taiwan, and defending Taiwan. He added that when he was younger he received army training and also served in the Marine Corps for two years. Although this was only a short period, it was extremely rewarding, he said. In particular, the president remarked, he is very proud of his time in the military, which has enabled him to make contributions to the nation.
President Ma also explained to the visitors that all males of draft age must serve in the military. Even though the government has begun promoting an all-volunteer military system, men of draft age must still undertake four months of basic training, he said. The president stated that the government this year has begun promoting an all-volunteer military system, but that it has faced a number of challenges in getting this system up and running, so he hopes the ROC can learn from the experience of the United States in implementing an all-volunteer force here.
President Ma also mentioned that since taking office in 2008 his administration has sought to improve relations between Taiwan and mainland China, thus creating a climate of peace and prosperity. In addition, he pointed out, the government has re-established mutual trust between the United States and the ROC at the highest levels, in part due to a "low key, no surprises" approach. Taiwan's relations with neighboring nations have improved as a result, he said, noting that Taiwan's relations with the United States, Japan, and mainland China are the most stable and peaceful that they have been in history.
President Ma emphasized that over the past five years Taiwan-US relations have seen concrete progress on many fronts. For instance, the United States has sold Taiwan a total of over US$18 billion in defensive weapons. In addition, the two sides this year revised the Agreement on Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities, and Taiwan last year was formally included in the US Visa Waiver Program, he said. President Ma also noted that Taiwan and the United States have resumed negotiations under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, and he expressed hope that joint efforts will ultimately lead to the signing of a bilateral investment agreement.
The delegation included AMVETS National Ladies Auxiliary President Linda S. McGriff and AMVETS National Executive Director Stewart M. Hickey. The group was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Veterans Affairs Council Minister Tung Hsiang-lung (董翔龍) to meet President Ma. Also attending the meeting was National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lu Hsiao-jung (陸小榮).