President Tsai Ing-wen flew to Hualien County, eastern Taiwan on Sunday to visit two military bases. It was her first inspection of the troops since taking office as the country’s first female president just over a week ago.
Tsai’s visit was significant, because she is also the first female commander-in-chief of the Republic of China military. The Republic of China is the official name of Taiwan’s government.
Tsai traveled to the military bases on board “Air Force One”, another first for the new president. She visited the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing at the Hualien base, and the neighboring Jiashan Air Base.
Tsai was accompanied on her inspection tour by National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu and Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan.
The president expressed her admiration for the soldiers’ sense of responsibility and honor. She stressed that she had not come to offer direction, but instead to express her determination in standing together with the military to push for reform and defend the nation.