總統賴清德紀念武裝部隊日 致敬陣亡軍人並宣布加薪計畫

A children’s dance troupe poses with military mascots at Taipei Railway Station on Armed Forces Day yesterday. Photo: CNA

ARMED FORCES DAY: The president thanked all of Taiwan’s armed service members for protecting national security and touted a planned pay increase

/ Staff writer, with CNA

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President William Lai （賴清德） yesterday paid tribute to Taiwan’s fallen military personnel and pledged that his government would provide better care for armed service members as the nation marked Armed Forces Day.

During a ceremony in Taipei, Lai laid flowers at the Martyrs’ Shrine, which honors nearly 500,000 soldiers who died fighting during World War II for the Republic of China.

Other senior government officials and descendants of the fallen soldiers also attended the Fall Martyrs’ Commemoration Ceremony in Taipei’s Zhongshan District （中山）.

Earlier yesterday, Lai thanked all of the members of Taiwan’s armed forces for protecting national security and defending the nation’s sovereignty.

Over the past year, his administration has improved salaries and benefits for military personnel, including raising combat and professional allowances earlier this year, Lai wrote on Facebook.

From next year, military personnel, civil servants and teachers are to receive a 4 percent salary increase, he said.

The government will continue to improve living and training environments for the armed forces, while providing better support for service members’ families, including childcare, so that military personnel can focus on their mission of protecting the country, he added.

Armed Forces Day in Taiwan is celebrated annually on Sept. 3 to honor the armed forces and Japan’s defeat in World War II.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES

President William Lai, third left, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, fourth left, and Examination Yuan President Chou Hung-hsien, right, bow during a ceremony at the Martyrs’ Shrine in Taipei on Armed Forces Day yesterday. Photo: CNA