Taiwan’s Han Kuang 42 military exercise kicks off this Wednesday. Minister of National Defense Gu Lixiong stated that the drills are based on scenario assumptions with no set script, constantly introducing situational changes to test commanders’ judgment, decision-making, and order issuance. “Training is the foundation of combat power—there is only better, never best.” By preparing well in peacetime, missions can be accomplished in wartime. In addition, the Taiwanese military has contingency plans for responding to incursions from the Chinese military and will not interrupt exercise subjects because of them.
The Legislative Yuan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee invited Gu Lixiong this morning to present a special report on “How the Armed Forces Strengthen the Spiritual and Psychological Resilience of Soldiers” and to answer questions.
Beginning Tuesday morning, 12 Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line and harassed areas around Taiwan, coordinating with PLAN vessels for joint combat readiness patrols. When asked whether this would impact the Han Kuang exercise, Gu Lixiong responded prior to the meeting that China’s harassment around the Taiwan Strait is not new, and the Taiwanese military has contingency plans in place; drills will not be interrupted by such harassment.
Reporters asked whether being required to deliver a special report at the Legislative Yuan on the first day of the Han Kuang exercise would affect the trainings. Gu Lixiong believes that the Legislative Yuan’s oversight also helps with the work of building and preparing the armed forces, and the Han Kuang exercise is no exception; thus, he respects legislative oversight.
Regarding Taiwan-US exchanges and joint training, Gu Lixiong pointed out that military exchanges between Taiwan and the US are growing closer and that drawing from the US military’s practical combat experience helps enhance the combat capabilities of Taiwan’s armed forces. In addition, the Japanese Defense White Paper also makes it clear that the threat posed by China is an unprecedentedly significant strategic challenge and a matter of serious concern to them. Japan recognizes that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region are extremely important to them. Taiwan will continue to exchange with allied countries to collectively shoulder the responsibility of deterrence and will also step up its defense budget to fulfill its due responsibilities.