On May 4, 2021, President Tsai Ing-wen received the McCain Medal for Public Service Leadership.
Under a cloud of Chinese pressure, the Halifax International Security Forum announced that it will award the 2020 McCain Public Service Leadership Award to Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen. The organizer, one of the world’s most authoritative forums on defense matters, announced earlier that Canada, the forum’s main sponsor, opposed the award to Tsai for fear of angering Beijing, but Canada’s parliament and prime minister later voiced their support. The Halifax Forum said it would invite Tsai to attend the award ceremony to receive the prize. Tsai expressed her gratitude in a post on her social media site, saying that the award is an honor for all Taiwanese people and an important recognition of Taiwan’s democracy by the international community. (By Chung Kwong-ching, Taipei)
On May 4, 2021, Tsai Ing-wen posted a message on her social media site, saying that the award is an honor that belongs to all the people of Taiwan. (Photo taken from Tsai’s Facebook page)
In Taiwan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ou Jiang-an said the Halifax Security Forum (HFX) officially announced President Tsai Ing-wen as the recipient of the annual John McCain Prize for Public Affairs Leadership through a video on May 3, 2010. The John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service,” said O’Brien.
They also noted that despite the growing military threat from China, President Tsai’s steadfast defense of liberal democratic values has earned her the respect and recognition of the international community,” said O’Brien. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the decision of the Halifax International Security Forum and expresses its sincere gratitude for the support of the international community. We will follow up with the “Halifax International Security Forum” to coordinate the timing and manner of the award.
Mr. O’Connor said the McCain Medal for Public Affairs Leadership was established in memory of the late U.S. Senator John McCain, who firmly pursued the values of freedom, equality, opportunity and democracy.
The McCain Medal for Leadership in Public Affairs is a tribute to President Tsai and the 23.5 million people of Taiwan for their efforts to fight the epidemic and uphold democracy,” said O’Brien.
In a post on social media sites, Tsai expressed her gratitude for the award, saying that the honor of being the annual recipient of the McCain Medal for Public Affairs Leadership is not personal, but belongs to all the people of Taiwan.
Tsai said the late Senator McCain was an admired American statesman who fought for democracy and freedom throughout his life and worked tirelessly to improve Taiwan’s security. Senator McCain is an old friend of hers and a good friend of Taiwan. This award is an important recognition of Taiwan’s democracy by the international community.
Tsai reiterated that a united Taiwan will firmly guard democracy, continue to do a good job of preventing epidemics, and become a force for good capable of contributing to the world. The government will prove time and again that democracy and freedom are the best medals for Taiwan to stand in the world!
Presidential spokesman Zhang Dunhan said that President Tsai Ing-wen’s award is an affirmation of the people of Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and their success in fighting the epidemic with democratic institutions.
Zhang Dunhan stressed that the ruling team will work tirelessly, especially at a time when the epidemic is still a serious challenge both inside and outside Taiwan, and will definitely unite to implement epidemic prevention, firmly guard democracy, and continue to deepen partnerships with countries that share similar values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, to make the greatest contribution to international democracy and freedom, and to firmly become a positive force for good in the world.
“The Halifax International Security Forum was scheduled to announce the award to President Tsai late last year. After media reports that the Canadian government was concerned about angering China by withdrawing its sponsorship of the HFX, the Canadian House of Commons passed a motion last month to approve Tsai as the ideal candidate for the McCain Award without opposition.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also made clear during a questioning session in the full House on the same day that the government would continue to sponsor the Halifax International Security Forum.
The Halifax Forum, headquartered in Washington, D.C., established the McCain Award three years ago to recognize individuals and groups who have worked for democracy. This is the third time the Halifax International Security Forum has presented the McCain Award. The first time was in 2018, when the award was given to the people of the Greek island of Lesbos, which is on the front lines of the refugee entry into Europe, in recognition of their efforts to save refugees. The second time the award was presented in 2019 was to civil disobedience in Hong Kong.
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