President Tsai Ing-wen (???) on Wednesday conferred a presidential medal on Paul Wolfowitz, chairman emeritus of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC), in recognition of his contributions to promoting ties between the two countries.
Wolfowitz, who served as USTBC chairman from 2008-2018, was honored with the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon by Tsai at the Presidential Office.
In her remarks, Tsai praised Wolfowitz as “a good friend and staunch supporter of Taiwan” who has made “innumerable contributions” to deepening economic and trade ties between Taiwan and the United States and upholding Taiwan’s democracy.
Wolfowitz is part of a USTBC delegation that is currently on a visit to Taiwan, though the trip was not previously announced.
Speaking with the delegation, Tsai said she looked forward to the USTBC’s continued support for deeper economic and trade cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S.
She went on to express hope that Taiwan will be able to negotiate for a comprehensive double taxation avoidance agreement with the U.S. and join the Washington-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
These would create more business opportunities for companies on both sides and consolidate the bilateral economic and trade partnership, Tsai added.
Meanwhile, Wolfowitz said he was proud to receive the medal and to be able to work closely with the people of Taiwan and its government for many years.
He compared the U.S.-Taiwan relationship with Washington’s relations with West Berlin, the Western Ally-controlled territory surrounded by Soviet Union-controlled East Germany, during the Cold War.
“Throughout 50 years of the Cold War, we [the Americans] managed to preserve freedom in [West] Berlin. Preserving freedom in Taiwan is of equal historical importance,” he said.
“At the end of the day, Taiwan’s strength and survival depend on a prosperous economy … You have both now, and we are here to try to help you continue that,” he said.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel