I have an idea that might add something positive to Taiwan’s diplomatic, governmental and legalistic affairs, and at a fundamental level promote the ideal of personal righteousness and prestige in people who have acted justly, conscientiously and, most of all, constructively in world affairs.
More on the world at large below, but to begin, I am thinking of those who view Taiwan itself as an honored and esteemed nation among the world’s peoples, and who have taken steps to recognize and endorse this reality, and introduce it to people everywhere.
I take this idea from the nation of Israel, which honors those who have protected Jews (primarily during the Holocaust) with the reverent praise of “Righteous Among the Nations” — recognition that has been granted to no less than 26,000 people to date. Among these heroes are the likes of Oskar Schindler, Raoul Wallenberg and Saint Elizabeth Hesselblad of Sweden. Truly a righteous group.
That which is “righteous” is reverent praise, recognition of virtuous and distinguished behavior at the highest level and, most importantly, awareness and acceptance of deep faith, support and simply help for those in need. (My idea stems from the Observer article “A very quiet hero: How a Japanese diplomat saved 6,000 Jews,” [Jan. 10, page 9] with its story of the amazing and courageous Japanese diplomat, Chiune Sugihara [a righteous among the nations], and his processing of the visas of thousands of Jews during World War II).
My hope is that Taiwan could create an award similar to the Israeli prize, recognizing those who have supported and reinforced all that is great about this nation, those who have helped and supported Taiwan on its long journey to self-understanding, freedom and its own brand of righteousness in world affairs.
Even now there is probably a list of such people who are acknowledged by the people and government of Taiwan, but I do not mean just anyone; not just those who are “Taiwan friendly” or have advocated Taiwan in affable, but often relatively cliche, rah-rah terms about all that is wonderful about Taiwan (any tourist in Taiwan who has enjoyed the people, food and scenery here would speak up this way).
I mean instead those who have genuinely supported, abetted and inspired Taiwan, endorsed change in word and deed, and who have truly embraced and sanctioned the nation’s march toward the realization of its democratic polity and commonwealth, which has received its own recognition and acclamation from states and peoples worldwide.
I think that at this point that Taiwan’s national awards such as the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun, the Order of the Brilliant Star, or the Order of the Cloud and Banner do not quite do the job, and we need something more universal, more inclusive.
Or perhaps this should be a relatively local award, for certainly Taiwan has not undergone anything like what the Jews went through during the Holocaust.
However, this is not to say that Taiwan has not suffered a lot over the years, with its lack of recognition by sister states; its struggle through colonizing and brutal totalitarian regimes; its continued abuse at the hands of China; and the threats directed at Taiwan.
It seems that in many respects, this nation has suffered persecution that has not been altogether different from the worst ravages and aggression that have tormented people in ages past.
And thus, Taiwan needs an accolade, a citation, something recognizing that which is righteous, that which is ethical, honorable, noble, veritably spiritual, virtuous, charitable and commendable. And to turn outward, perhaps limiting this award only to Taiwan would not be ideal, and the award could be granted to any world citizen who has endorsed and supported the values of democracy, freedom and human rights in the world today.
This has enlarged this idea a good bit, but I hope something like it can be considered.
One suggestion is Principled Aegis of Common Ethics award. Taiwan, in honoring those who support and defend these qualities and beliefs, can keep pace with the development of universal values in the world today.
David Pendery is an associate professor at National Taipei University of Business.
Could Asia be on the verge of a new wave of nuclear proliferation? A look back at the early history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, illuminates some reasons for concern in the Indo-Pacific today. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently described NATO as “the most powerful and successful alliance in history,” but the organization’s early years were not without challenges. At its inception, the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty marked a sea change in American strategic thinking. The United States had been intent on withdrawing from Europe in the years following
My wife and I spent the week in the interior of Taiwan where Shuyuan spent her childhood. In that town there is a street that functions as an open farmer’s market. Walk along that street, as Shuyuan did yesterday, and it is next to impossible to come home empty-handed. Some mangoes that looked vaguely like others we had seen around here ended up on our table. Shuyuan told how she had bought them from a little old farmer woman from the countryside who said the mangoes were from a very old tree she had on her property. The big surprise
The issue of China’s overcapacity has drawn greater global attention recently, with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen urging Beijing to address its excess production in key industries during her visit to China last week. Meanwhile in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week said that Europe must have a tough talk with China on its perceived overcapacity and unfair trade practices. The remarks by Yellen and Von der Leyen come as China’s economy is undergoing a painful transition. Beijing is trying to steer the world’s second-largest economy out of a COVID-19 slump, the property crisis and
Former president Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) trip to China provides a pertinent reminder of why Taiwanese protested so vociferously against attempts to force through the cross-strait service trade agreement in 2014 and why, since Ma’s presidential election win in 2012, they have not voted in another Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) candidate. While the nation narrowly avoided tragedy — the treaty would have put Taiwan on the path toward the demobilization of its democracy, which Courtney Donovan Smith wrote about in the Taipei Times in “With the Sunflower movement Taiwan dodged a bullet” — Ma’s political swansong in China, which included fawning dithyrambs