Taipei, Jan. 8 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian inspected two important military bases on the southernmost tip of Taiwan Tuesday--the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology's (CIST's) Chiupeng outpost and the Armed Forces Joint Training Center.
Chen was accompanied by Defense Minister Wu Shih-wen and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Tang Yao-ming on the two inspection tours.
During his visit to the Chiupeng base in Pingtung County, Chen noted that CIST--the ROC military's research arm -- has contributed greatly to Taiwan's defense technology development over the years.
He said the U.S. military's consent to the test-firing of the Patriot air-defense missile system at the Chiupeng base last June was recognition of CIST's achievements in defense technology research. It was the first time that the U.S.-made advanced anti-missile system had ever been tested outside American territory. "The event indicated that the long-term efforts of the CIST staff had paid off," Chen said, adding that it also helped upgrade Taiwan's image in international defense industry circles.
He encouraged all CIST staff to continue working hard to develop sophisticated defense technologies and weaponry systems to safeguard national security.
Later in the day, Chen inspected the Armed Forces Joint Training Center in Hengchun, Pingtung County, where the three military branches have been conducting a four-week live-fire training exercise.
Chen praised the bravery and devotion of all the officers and men participating in the ongoing combined services training drill amid chilly weather.
It was Chen's first tour of the joint training center since he assumed the presidency in May 2000.
The president said he was pleased to learn that the center has made significant progress both in renovation work on the facilities and in the overall training programs over the past two years.
The center, established in 1966, is the island's largest training ground for live-fire, combined services drills.
Chen urged all military servicemen to make the best use of the training facilities at the base, to abide by operational regulations and security requirements and to improve their combat skills in order to upgrade Taiwan's overall defense capabilities.