President Ma Ying-jeou was awarded the Eisenhower Medallion Sept. 19 in Tainan City, underscoring his wide-ranging efforts in promoting regional peace and stability.
“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of all ROC citizens,” Ma said. “It represents global recognition for Taiwan’s peaceful approach to international affairs, which will continue as a key plank in the country’s development.”
The president made the remarks during the presentation ceremony staged by awarding nongovernmental organization U.S.-based People to People International in the southern Taiwan city.
Ma was nominated by PTPI’s local chapter for his East China Sea Peace Initiative and commitment to urging resource sharing and reducing tensions throughout the region.
According to the president, the award is significant in that it highlights the friendship extended by former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to Taiwan. “It is also the first major honor I have received since assuming office in May 2008.”
Ma said during Eisenhower’s presidency, the U.S. made several key decisions to maintain cross-strait peace that proved instrumental in the nation’s economic and political development.
These include signing the ROC-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty in 1953; passing the Formosa Resolution in 1955; assisting the nation during the August 23 Artillery Battle in 1958; and visiting Taiwan in 1960.
Ma said Taiwan has become a committed peacemaker and provider of humanitarian aid in recent years. “This positive approach is reflected in government ongoing efforts to foster peace in the Taiwan Strait, as well as the East and South China seas.
“It takes the courage of one’s convictions to create and promote peace,” Ma said, adding that the government will spare no effort in this regard going forward.
During a meeting with PTPI board members earlier in the day, Ma commended the NGO for its contribution to global demining efforts. “As of last year, 3.5 million square meters on outlying Kinmen County have been cleared, with 110,000 landmines and unexploded ordnance destroyed,” he said.
“This is three years ahead of schedule as set out under the Ottawa Treaty, further illustrating Taiwan’s contribution to global demining.”
Ma is the first ROC president and second ROC national to win the medallion after Dharma Master Cheng Yen, founder of Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation.
The 43 recipients to date include former U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, the respective ex-presidents of South Africa and Poland, Nelson Mandela and Lech Walesa, as well as NGOs such as Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children.
Founded in 1956 by Eisenhower during his first term in office, PTPI promotes international understanding and world peace through cultural, educational and humanitarian activities. (SFC-JSM)
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