TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties called for national prayers on Wednesday (Jan. 8) following an F-16V fighter jet incident in Hualien. The aircraft went down during a training mission on Tuesday (Jan. 7). DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng (吳崢) conveyed President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) appeal for support for Captain Hsin Po-yi (辛柏毅) at a party meeting on Monday (Jan. 6). The Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, also responded to the crash.
President Lai issued an immediate directive to the Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) and related agencies to fully commit to the rescue operation, expressing hope for Captain Hsin's safe return. The MND held a press conference on Tuesday (Jan. 7), revealing that the F-16V incident involved the failure of the Mission Management Computer (MMC) and delays in delivering critical systems and gear. KMT Legislator Ma Wen-chun (馬文君) expressed concern, stating the MND's explanation may be unacceptable to the public.
Ma criticized the ministry for failing to install the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS) by 2025, as promised in 2023. She disclosed that the system is now expected by the end of 2026, with thermal flight suits anticipated in 2027. Ma urged the public to pray for Captain Hsin while questioning the DPP government's management of its increased defense budget over the years. ◼