Tsai awards US Rep. Ros-Lehtinen state honor for strengthening bilateral ties

2018/04/09

President Tsai Ing-wen awarded April 2 U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon for her significant contributions to strengthening Taiwan-U.S. relations.
 
 Ros-Lehtinen has been a major supporter of Taiwan for around three decades, including advocating a Taiwan-U.S. free trade agreement and defensive arms sales in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, Tsai said. She has also consistently backed the country’s participation in international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization.
 
 Upon receiving the honor at the Office of the President in Taipei City, Ros-Lehtinen said that bilateral ties have never been stronger. Taiwan is an economic powerhouse, key partner of the U.S. and the two sides will continue to closely cooperate in advancing trade and regional security, she added.
 
 According to the U.S. representative, as a thriving democracy with an open society and media environment, Taiwan is a beacon of freedom in the Pacific region and demonstrates what can be achieved when countries embrace free will and innovation.
 
 Ros-Lehtinen, chairperson emeritus of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs and member of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus, is leading a five-strong U.S. delegation including Rep. Claudia Tenney on a three-day visit concluding April 3. The representatives co-sponsored the recently passed Taiwan Travel Act.
 
 Signed into law March 16, the act states that it should be the policy of the U.S. to authorize officials at all levels to travel to Taiwan to meet with their counterparts and allow high-level officials from Taiwan to enter the U.S. under conditions that demonstrate appropriate respect for the dignity of such officials.
 
 This legislation shows the strong support for Taiwan in the U.S. Congress, Tsai said, adding that it also serves to highlight the robust bilateral partnership and shared commitment to advancing ties.
 
 Noting that Ros-Lehtinen will step down when her current term ends early next year, the president invited the representative to visit often after concluding her long and distinguished career in public service. Taiwan will always treasure Ros-Lehtinen’s friendship and many contributions to enhancing relations, she said.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=132121)