Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) Learning how to swim is a crucial aspect of Taiwanese soldiers' training, to help them meet the requirements of serving the country, a Taiwanese military official said Thursday.
"There is no doubt that we would require our soldiers to know how to swim so they are able to function better for the two most important aspects of the Republic of China's (Taiwan) armed forces:
combat and disaster relief, " said Wang Shih-tu, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operation and Planning of the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
Speaking on the sidelines of a news conference about a national action plan to promote swimming, Wang said that a military force with around 40 percent of its soldiers who don't know how to swim "will not be able to do combat in Taiwan, where there are plenty of rivers, ponds and fish farms."
"Nor will they be able to execute disaster relief operations when most of the time they have to wade into the water to rescue people in need and protect themselves at the same time, " he said.
The last thing the MND wants to see is the loss of soldiers during disaster relief operations when the troopers are sent out to rescue people's lives, he said. "Fortunately, we haven't lost any up to now," Wang said.
The lieutenant general's remarks came hours after a legislator questioned the MND's five-year budget of NT$5.4 billion to build and renovate swimming pools in a legislative session on Thursday morning.
Taiwan's military had started to implement extensive swimming training since last May and the results have been fruitful, Wang said, adding that 62.4 percent of its troops have now met the requirement of 50-meter tests, up from 47.7 percent last May.
"We see it as a combat skill rather than only a recreational activity. And I'm glad the commander-in-chief of the armed forces -- President Ma Ying-jeou -- has recognized the importance of this crucial skill, "Wang said, referring to the president's assertiveness in promoting swimming. (By Chris Wang) enditem/cs