The summer is graduation season, and military academies are no exception. A graduation ceremony for six of Taiwan's military academies even received an extra special guest this year.
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President Tsai Ing-wen attended Taiwan's National Defense University for a joint graduation ceremony between six military academies on Wednesday. It was the first time in three years that the ceremony went ahead in person due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her speech to the students, Tsai said that regardless of what situation unfolds, it must be faced with bravery. She says that she will stand by everyone in the country to defend the democracy, sovereignty, and freedom of Taiwan.
Among this year's graduates is a student from one of Taiwan's diplomatics allies, Eswatini. The student, who uses the Chinese name Tu Mi-ni (杜宓妮), says she looks forward to putting her four years of training to use back home, in the service of protecting her country and family. She adds that she hopes Eswatini and Taiwan's diplomatic friendship can become even stronger than before.
Also among the graduates is R.O.C Air Force Academy student Shen Chia-hsiang (沈家湘) who spent time training abroad in the United States. Shen says he hopes he can use his experience abroad to help improve his home organization. He says his current dream is to fly an F-16 fighter jet.
Now, with the president's approval and diplomas in hand, the fresh graduates are ready to fly off into the next chapter of their military careers.