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Tsai urges army to perform better

PINGTUNG (Taiwan) — Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen urged the island’s army to improve its performance after a string of accidents, promising to help upgrade equipment as she presided over military drills yesterday.

PINGTUNG (Taiwan) — Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen urged the island’s army to improve its performance after a string of accidents, promising to help upgrade equipment as she presided over military drills yesterday.

The war games in the southern county of Pingtung, the first of Ms Tsai’s presidency, are part of an annual military exercise that simulates incoming attacks from China, the biggest threat to Taiwan’s security.

Relations with the mainland have grown increasingly frosty since she won the island’s presidency in January. Beijing is highly suspicious of Ms Tsai, whose Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is traditionally pro-independence, and has warned her against any attempt at a formal breakaway.

She said yesterday that Taiwan’s army “needs a set of firm directions” and instructed the Defence Ministry to work on updating its military strategy.

“Some of the challenges faced by our army come from external structural limitations, others are because our performance isn’t good enough,” she said at an army base after watching fighter jets and tanks fire live rounds.

The war games included more than 100 paratroopers mimicking enemies attempting to invade an army base.

Wearing a bullet-proof vest and helmet, Ms Tsai told soldiers and spectators that the military has been too slow upgrading its equipment and pledged to make the issue a priority.

During her speech, Ms Tsai paid respects to four soldiers who died last week when their tank slipped and plunged into a river during heavy rain.

The incident follows the accidental firing of a supersonic “aircraft carrier killer” missile towards China last month, which sparked an uproar in Taiwan and a stern rebuke from Beijing.

Ms Tsai also pledged to further develop the military’s capabilities.

Taiwan currently buys most of its weapons from the United States. Late last year, Washington announced a massive US$1.8 billion (S$2.44 billion) arms sale to Taiwan, the first to the island in four years.

The President is battling falling popularity and increased pressure from Beijing as she approaches 100 days in office marred by controversy.

Since she took the leadership in May, Ms Tsai has been faced with a litany of challenges, from the accidental firing of the missile, to labour protests and rows over personnel appointments.

Ties with Beijing have become increasingly frosty, with China recently saying it has cut off official contact with Taipei.

The public support that swept Ms Tsai into power by a landslide is now wavering. Her support ratings have fallen to about 50 per cent in recent surveys, from highs of 70 per cent.

Ahead of her 100th day in office on Saturday, Ms Tsai admitted her new government “hasn’t done well enough”.

“I hope that others do not use 100 days to judge the success or failure of my leadership,” she told reporters last week. “Reforms need time.”

Voters backed Beijing-sceptic Ms Tsai after many saw a rapprochement with China under previous president Ma Ying-jeou as benefiting big business, not ordinary Taiwanese.

There were also fears closer cross-strait relations would threaten Taiwan’s sovereignty — China still sees the self-ruling island as part of its territory to be reunified.

Since she took the reins, Ms Tsai has apologised to the island’s aboriginals for historic injustices, pushed for pension reform and launched a Budget she says will boost new industries and social care.

But some voters feel she has focused on the wrong issues. “Most young people can’t save money or dare to think about buying their own homes with low salaries ... This is the priority for us, not political reforms,” said Taipei office worker Wang Chuan-yi, 26.

Others say the government has flip-flopped, including meeting the demands of recent labour protesters over working conditions and layoff compensation.

“Tsai’s government frequently changes its policies once there are backlashes or street protests,” said 45-year-old Taipei businessman James Lee, who also criticised her expensive tastes, including hiring a personal cook. “Before the election, she showed the image of being close to the people and ate at roadside stalls.”

As Ms Tsai fights fires on the domestic front, Beijing is also piling on the pressure for her to acknowledge that there is only “one China”.

Ms Tsai’s DPP has never backed that concept, unlike her predecessor Mr Ma of the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang.

Ms Tsai said recently her government has “done what it can” to maintain ties and called on both sides to bear joint responsibility for cross-strait peace.

To keep the DPP under control, she needs to maintain public support for her leadership, said Dr Wang Yeh-lih, a political scientist at National Taiwan University, something he feels she is struggling to do. “Public discontent is rising as Tsai’s policies are seen as fickle and aimed at pleasing certain minority groups that are long-term DPP supporters,” said Dr Wang.

Some voters remain sympathetic. “We need to give Tsai more time,” said Taipei florist Catherin Kang, 38. “Many policies and infrastructure projects can’t be realised right away.” AFP

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