Government agencies must remain vigilant against potential security threats and continue implementing and strengthening their mobilization tasks in order to defend the nation, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today while hosting the annual Executive Yuan mobilization meeting.
Although cross-strait ties are warming, mainland China has never renounced the use of military force against Taiwan, Mao noted. In addition, terrorist ideologies are spreading internationally, gradually raising threat levels in neighboring countries.
Taiwan withstood multiple disasters this year, such as Typhoon Soudelor and other strong typhoons, the TransAsia Airways Flight 235 crash, water restrictions, the Formosa Fun Coast powder explosion, and the dengue fever epidemic. The damage was minimized thanks to the cooperation of the central and local governments, especially the active participation of the nation's soldiers in rescue efforts, the premier said. He affirmed that this is a testament to agencies' everyday mobilization preparations and that their hard work and contributions are worthy of recognition.
Nationwide civilian defensive mobilization preparations are intended not only to protect lives and property but also to unite the people's strength, Mao said. Government agencies should put themselves in people's shoes to understand how to balance civilian needs with mobilization requirements. The premier directed the mobilization meeting secretariat to incorporate today's meeting decisions into future mobilization efforts.
The nation must now prepare itself against nontraditional compound disasters that may arise from traditional military threats, new forms of terrorism, or global warming, Mao said. This responsibility should not fall on a single central government ministry or local agency. Rather, each unit must do its part and work in close coordination with the others to minimize casualties and damage. The premier hopes central and local authorities will act as a team, perform to the best of their abilities, and join hands in promoting mobilization efforts.