President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday awarded US-Taiwan Business Council chairman emeritus Paul Wolfowitz the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon for his contributions to Taiwan-US business relations and support for Taiwan’s democracy.
Tsai in a morning ceremony at the Presidential Office conferred the medal on Wolfowitz, who has also served as US deputy secretary of defense and World Bank president.
Thanking Tsai for the honor, Wolfowitz said that he has maintained close contact with Taiwan’s government and people over the years, no matter the political environment.
Photo: CNA
The US’ important, yet unofficial relations with Taiwan are akin to its former relationship with West Berlin, he said.
Although exchanges are based on people-to-people ties, diplomats on both sides are working hard to sustain Taiwan’s freedom, just as Washington supported West Berlin during the Cold War, he said, adding that they are of equal historical importance.
Tsai praised Wolfowitz as a good friend and staunch supporter of Taiwan.
He has over many years made “innumerable contributions to deepening Taiwan-US economic cooperation” and supporting Taiwan’s democracy, she said.
Wolfowitz is accompanying a council delegation to Taiwan for the first time in three years, consisting of business leaders from the high-tech, defense, energy, finance, biotech, consumer products and other sectors.
Wolfowitz said he is honored to be visiting Taiwan with so many esteemed business leaders.
A survey conducted by the council found that US business confidence in Taiwan has increased in the past few years, despite a global downturn, he said.
It is an achievement to be proud of, but “we should not become complacent,” he said, adding that the group would discuss how to further strengthen business confidence in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s survival depends on its prosperous economy and resilient people, Wolfowitz said, adding that the council is eager to help maintain its prosperity and resilience.
The visit shows the high level of importance the council places on Taiwan’s market, Tsai said, adding that they would hold in-depth discussions with their Taiwanese counterparts to seek more areas of cooperation.
Bilateral trade between Taiwan and the US has increased 50 percent since 2018, making Taiwan the ninth-largest trading partner of the US, she said.
Thanking the representatives for their long-standing confidence in Taiwan, Tsai reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as “a cornerstone of prosperity for Taiwan, the US and the region,” as well as Taiwan’s determination to further strengthen its self-defense capabilities.
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