On 1 September, President Tsai Ing-wen presented US Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce with the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon. The award comes in recognition of Mr Royce’s contributions to advancing Taiwan-US relations and supporting Taiwan’s international participation.
In a ceremony at the Office of the President in Taipei City, President Tsai noted that the honour is an expression of gratitude and friendship to people who have made important contributions to Taiwan. The president said that Mr Royce has been invaluable in promoting legislation supporting Taiwan, including a bipartisan measure reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the ‘Six Assurances’, two cornerstones of US Taiwan policy that guarantee US support of Taiwan.
Mr Royce was also a key figure in passing a bill authorising the US president to transfer Perry-class frigates to Taiwan, as well as several resolutions supporting Taiwan’s observer status in the World Health Assembly, the International Civil Aviation Authority and Interpol, President Tsai added.
Stating that Taiwan-US relations have always been close and steadfast, President Tsai noted Mr Royce has made an important contribution to this state of affairs by giving Taiwan his full support. This has allowed Taiwan-US relations to continually advance towards a strategic partnership, the president said.