ROC President Ma Ying-jeou is this year’s recipient of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute Leadership in International Relations Award, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 21.
Ma was bestowed with the award for his “extraordinary statesmanship in international relations, friendship with the U.S. and leadership in the development of fraternal ties between the people of Taiwan and the U.S. Hispanic community.”
U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who serves as CHLI chairman, presented the honor to Jason Yuan, ROC representative to the U.S., on Ma’s behalf at a gala event in Washington May 20.
In a taped acceptance speech broadcast at the ceremony, Ma expressed his appreciation to Diaz-Balart. “I am humbled by this recognition and vow to live up to the expectations that accompany the award.”
Ma also thanked the U.S. government and Congress for supporting the ROC through the Taiwan Relations Act. He also called on Washington to help upgrade Taiwan’s air defense capability.
“To further strengthen the island’s air defense capability, and maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, we urge the U.S. government to supply the ROC with F-16 C/D fighters as soon as possible.”
The president also welcomed efforts by U.S. lawmakers backing Taiwan’s participation in U.N. specialized agencies such as the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
“Washington’s support in securing expanded participation for Taiwan in these organizations is greatly appreciated,” Ma said.
In addition, he also expressed hope that the U.S. government will sign an extradition agreement with Taiwan and grant visa-waiver privileges for ROC passport holders.
The CHLI awards attracted more than 400 prominent attendees including U.S. congressmen, government officials and foreign diplomats.
Previous CHLI leadership award recipients include former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Robert Menendez and former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Dennis Hastert.
Founded in 2003, CHLI is a Washington-based non-profit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing the diversity of thought in the U.S. Hispanic community across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, as well as the international community. (CYH-JSM)