President Tsai visits troops on Penghu Island

(30 Dec 2022) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ++AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Penghu - 30 December 2022 1. Various members of amphibious reconnaissance battalion simulating combat with blanks in Penghu 2. Wide of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen watching the combat simulation with her entourage 3. Wide of navy officer saluting Tsai for a bonus given to the servicemen in Penghu and servicemen saying UPSOUND (Mandarin): “Thank you President” as the officer raises the envelope of bonus 4. Wide venue where servicemen have lunch with Tsai 5. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan President: “Taiwan’s armed forces have detected 71 aircraft incursions and seven naval incursions in the surroundings of the Taiwan Strait within a day. This is the biggest series of incursions so far by China this year. The servicemen stationed in Penghu have been monitoring the situation round the clock. The weight on their shoulders is heavy. For this, I am coming here before the New Year holidays to express my gratitude to them for their hard work.” 6. Various members of amphibious reconnaissance battalion simulating combat with blanks 7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan President: “Authoritarianism has been expanding and influencing the regional peace and stability in the recent years. Taiwan is at the very frontline of the battle for democracy. Only by being prepared could we deter war, and by having the capability to engage combat could we stop war. We must keep on enhancing our self-defense abilities to further assure our country’s security and interests.” 8. Various members of amphibious reconnaissance battalion simulating combat with blanks 9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan president: “I would like to emphasize once again, that peace relies on a strong national defense. The government and the armed forces will keep on strengthening our national defense’s combat capabilities and willfulness, and show our determination to protect the country. And we will keep our words.” 10. Various of Tsai with members of amphibious reconnaissance battalion 11. Tsai gives them a red envelope with a bonus for their unit 12. Servicemen reply in unison UPSOUND (Mandarin): “Thank you President” 13. Various of national flag of Taiwan flying in the strong wind STORYLINE: STORYLINE Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited Army and Navy bases in Penghu Islands in the middle of the Taiwan Strait. They are near the strait’s middle line, the once taciturn agreement between Taiwan and China that forbids the trespassing of both sides’ military vehicle. Tsai’s visit aimed at expressing her gratitude for their service and encouraging them for their hard work as China’s military sent 71 planes and seven ships toward Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force between Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, after China expressed anger at Taiwan-related provisions in a U.S. annual defense spending bill. “This is the biggest series of incursions so far by China this year," she said. "The servicemen stationed in Penghu have been monitoring the situation round the clock. "The weight on their shoulders is heavy." "For this, I am coming here before the New Year holidays to express my gratitude to them for their hard work,” Tsai said. She said authoritarianism has been expanding and influencing the regional peace and stability in the recent years and that Taiwan is at the very frontline of the battle for democracy. “Only by being prepared could we deter war, and by having the capability to engage combat could we stop war, ” Tsai said. Tsai said peace relies on a strong national defense. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...