Former admiral calls for citizen defense forceFIGHTING SPIRIT: People must overcome ideological differences and show a willingness to defend the nation, which could deter China, Lee Hsi-ming saidBy Aaron Tu and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writerTaiwanese must develop the resolve to work together to defend the nation, former chief of the general staff admiral Lee Hsi-ming (李喜明) said, while proposing a “homeland defense force” to provide small-arms training to the public. The strategy would help discourage the Chinese Communist Party from attempting to invade Taiwan, Lee told the Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister paper) in an interview published on Saturday. Former chief of the general staff admiral Lee Hsi-ming speaks to the Chinese-language Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) in an interview published online on Saturday. “Taiwanese must overcome their ideological differences and show a willingness to unite in the defense of the country,” he added. Despite the huge gap in defense resources across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan could effectively defend itself if it aims not for air and sea control, but air and sea denial, he said.
