Fengshan, Kaohsiung County Oct. 9 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday exhorted a group of military rookies to uphold the "Whampoa Spirit" that has stood for loyalty to the nation's supreme leader, wholesome patriotism and unwavering determination to safeguard the security of the country.
Chen, in his capacity as the supreme leader of the Republic of China's armed forces, encouraged the new military cadets to enhance their academic and military learning over the following years while studying in the military academies so that they will become able members of society.
Chen, wearing an army cap, solemnly reviewed the 2,000-strong new cadets from six military schools in the three military branches on the campus of the Chinese Military Academy (CMA) in the southern city of Fengshan.
The CMA, the cradle of outstanding career officers in the Republic of China, was founded in Whampoa in southern China's Guangdong Province in 1924 by late President Chiang Kai-shek. It was relocated to its current location in Fengshan after the Communist Chinese took control of the mainland in 1949.
The military parade was part of the celebration of the CMA's 78th founding anniversary.
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