Key facts
- Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te warned military cadets against Chinese espionage.
- He urged cadets to defend freedom and democracy.
- Lai emphasized distinguishing friend from foe amid increased Chinese infiltration.
- The speech was delivered at Fu Hsing Kang College, founded to counter communism.
- The president insisted Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has cautioned military cadets against succumbing to China's espionage activities, urging them to defend freedom and democracy. Speaking at the Fu Hsing Kang College, an institution with Cold War-era anti-communist origins, Lai emphasized the importance of distinguishing between friend and foe in the face of increasing Chinese infiltration and threats.
Lai addressed a graduation ceremony on the outskirts of Taipei, stating that a soldier's honor lies in loyalty. He specifically called on the cadets to resist all forms of threat and temptation to defend Taiwan's sovereignty and security, noting the heightened espionage efforts by China targeting the armed forces. He also urged them to oppose communism and uphold democracy and freedom, asserting that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other.
The Fu Hsing Kang College, now part of the National Defence University, was established in 1951 by the Republic of China government after its retreat to Taiwan. Its original mission was to train officers in political warfare and instill anti-communist sentiment. The hall where Lai spoke features large Chinese characters written by former leader Chiang Kai-shek, a figure who remains polarizing in Taiwan. The college has also trained foreign students from anti-communist nations, and ambassadors from Belize, Guatemala, and Paraguay attended the ceremony.