Any reference to a “visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan) by a foreign guest of state” means a formal visit by a head of state of a country that maintains formal diplomatic relations with our country. For a head of state’s first such visit, the President will personally lead key government officials in welcoming the guest with military honors to demonstrate the importance placed on the diplomatic relations between the two countries and express the highest tribute to the visiting leader.
A 21-gun salute commences the military honors in a show of highest respect to the visiting leader. The firing of the cannons is the highlight of military honors. The salute is carried out by an army artillery company, which employs four sets of 105 mm howitzers. Regulations governing ceremonial shots by the army, navy, and air force require that 21 shots be fired for foreign heads of state. Shots are fired at three-second intervals, in synch with salute music played by the military band.
Upon completion of the cannon salute and music, the band plays the national anthem of each country, with the anthem of the visitor's nation played first, followed by the ROC national anthem. During the ceremony and throughout the playing of the national anthems, the leaders of the two nations stand at attention with their right hands placed over their hearts.
After the anthems, the President escorts the visitor past the band and the honor guard, led by the captain of the honor guard. The makeup of the honor guard and its size vary based on the person receiving the honors. A foreign head of state is greeted by a tri-service honor guard comprising a platoon each from the army, navy, and air force, and the head of the honor guard is a colonel. The honor guard represents the military, and each individual is carefully selected and must undergo strict training and pass many hurdles before being deemed qualified. In addition to offering the highest respect to the visitor, the honor guard demonstrates the fine training and strength of our nation's armed services. In so doing, it displays the nation's might and bolsters troop morale.
After inspecting the troops, the President delivers welcome remarks, after which the foreign leader speaks.
After remarks by the two leaders, the Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Protocol then leads the dignitary’s delegation to a spot in front of the dais and introduces each person to the President. The director then leads officials from our country and members of foreign diplomatic corps to the dais and introduces them to the visiting leader.
After that, the President escorts the visiting leader behind the dais to board a vehicle and leave the premises. The entire military honors ceremony, solemn and grand, takes about 30 minutes and enables the dignitaries to experience a cordial welcome to our country.