Tsai urges promoted generals to show resolve to defend Taiwan

Taipei, June. 28 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday called on the armed forces' newly promoted military generals to continue strengthening their ability to safeguard national security and to demonstrate their resolve to defend Taiwan.

During a ceremony held at the Ministry of National Defense headquarters for 25 newly promoted generals, Tsai expressed gratitude to the officers for their tireless efforts, while urging them not to show any signs of slacking off in light of the ongoing challenges facing the country, such as capricious global circumstances and COVID-19.

She further urged them to continue strengthening their ability to safeguard national security and to "let the world see our resolve to defend the country."

Tsai also thanked the newly promoted generals for their support of the government's plans to launch domestically built military aircraft and vessels. Their efforts had helped elevate the country's defense capability, she said.

Tuesday's ceremony was held in celebration of 25 military officers who got promoted during the first half of 2022.

The promotions of senior military personnel, which used to be carried out at a ceremony held twice a year, are now done at monthly events after the Legislature made a revision to the relevant law in May.

Six of these officers were promoted to the rank of two-star general, namely lieutenant general and vice admiral. The other 19 were elevated to the rank of one-star general, namely major general and rear admiral.

Major General Hsiao Jen-chin (蕭人瑾), the first female officer in the Republic of China Air Force promoted to general, told reporters at the ceremony that the increasing number of female officers taking up senior roles in the military showed professional competence has nothing to do with gender.

Instead, it is about individuals' efforts in and commitment to the military services, Hsiao said, and she believed there would be more female generals in the Air Force in the future.