The ROC will maintain defense forces on Dadan Island and Erdan Island, Premier Jiang Yi-huah stated during a visit to Kinmen Defense Command today.
The premier explained that the two islands, which are in Kinmen County, possess significant military and political importance, and many legislators have expressed their desire for the military to continue stationing troops there. After discussions with the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and national security agencies, the Executive Yuan decided to meet such expectations by keeping appropriate defense forces on Dadan and Erdan.
"The soldiers on these islands are absolutely not there to provide photo ops for tourists," the premier emphasized. The objective of the government's plan to open Dadan and Erdan for tourism is to teach the citizenry about battlefield culture without obstructing the execution of military duties, he stated.
At the defense command, Jiang was first briefed by the MND on the measures it has taken in response to the opening of the two islands for tourism; by the Ministry of Culture (MOC) on Kinmen battlefield culture, which is the theme of the government's bid for the county to be named a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; and by the Kinmen County Government (KCG) on its administrative measures in taking over jurisdiction of the two islands.
"Kinmen County is located at the frontline of the ROC, and Dadan Island and Erdan Island could be said to be at the very forefront of the nation's territory. Numerous glorious battles have been fought here," the premier said.
For instance, he noted, the islands were the site of the Battle of Guningtou, in which the Republic of China Armed Forces defeated an invading People's Liberation Army (PLA) force during a three-day battle culminating October 27, 1949, and forces there also withstood a months-long artillery bombardment by the PLA which began August 23, 1958 and touched off the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis.
Thus, these sites possess invaluable military facilities and historic remains, the premier said. Since 1992, when the designation of Kinmen as a war zone was removed and martial law was lifted there, the KCG has aspired to capitalize on this heritage, and in light of this, the Executive Yuan directed Minister without Portfolio Lin Junq-tzer to form a task force for inter-ministerial and central-local government coordination on this objective. A consensus was then reached that administration of Dadan and Erdan should be transferred to the KCG.
The premier requested the MND to assess which military facilities and locations in addition to the major cultural asset sites proposed by the MOC should be preserved and revitalized when the transfer of jurisdiction takes place and to discuss the handover and usage of these places with the KCG. He also asked Lin to continue to consult with various agencies so that the jurisdictional transfers will be completed by June 30 of next year and the public openings of the facilities go smoothly.
During his remarks, Jiang also affirmed the contributions of the ROC's armed forces, saying, "Soldiers and military officers have shouldered the great responsibility of protecting the nation and people. Were it not for their sacrifices of time, energy, and even their lives to safeguard the Republic of China, Taiwan would have neither its present prosperity nor peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
"I would like to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to the nation's officers and soldiers for serving our nation without complaint or regret over the years, and to their spouses and dependents as well for extending full support to their beloved."
Moreover, the premier expressed high expectations of the KCG's construction and growth efforts. "I hope that at this present time of peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait, both Kinmen and Matsu, which were once under stringent restrictions and controls because of war, will take great strides forward," he said.
In addition to Kinmen Defense Command, Jiang visited Shenz Zu Food & Beverage Corp., a Maja Noodles store, Maestro Wu Artillery Shell Knives and the Wudao City God Temple, where he paid homage to the god which is believed to defend and bless the community's people.
Besides Minister without Portfolio Lin, officials accompanying the premier on his tour included Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chen Wei-zen, Minister without Portfolio and concurrently Fujian Governor Schive Chi, Minister Sung Yu-hsieh of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Cho Shih-chao and Deputy Minister of Culture Hung Meng-chi.