The Halifax International Security Forum (HFX), which honors the McCain Award for leadership in the pursuit of human justice, has announced that it will be awarded to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. Previously, it was rumored that the Canadian government, the main sponsor of the award, was afraid of offending Beijing and had a problem with Tsai Ing-wen, the planned recipient of the award, sparking controversy. In response to the award, Tsai said that it was an honor for all the people of Taiwan; democracy and freedom are the best medals for Taiwan’s standing in the world.
The Halifax Security Forum (HFX) tweeted a video on local time on the 3rd, announcing that Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was awarded the 2020 McCain Public Service Leadership Award, the first “individual” winner of the award. This is the first “individual” winner of the award.
Introductory video comparing Xi Jinping and Tsai Ing-wen
The film introduces Tsai as Taiwan’s first female president and the most influential female political figure in the Chinese-speaking world, with clips of Chinese leader Xi Jinping saying, “We must recognize that Taiwan’s independence will only bring profound harm to Taiwan,” and Tsai saying, “Once again, I will tell the world with my actions that as a group of democrats and I want to assure everyone that we will not raise confrontation, nor will we give in to concessions”, interspersed with footage of the PLA frequently disturbing Taiwan. The video mentions Taiwan’s outstanding achievements in the fight against epidemics, but its participation in the WHO is blocked by the mainland. The video ends with Tsai saying that “the people of Taiwan are proud of their democracy”.
The president said she was honored to receive the award, and the first thing she said was that the honor goes to all the people of Taiwan, and she also believes that this award is a recognition of Taiwan’s democracy by the international community. We also want to prove to the world that democracy and freedom, is the best medal based on Taiwan.”
The best medal for democracy and freedom in Taiwan
When Tsai Ing-wen attended the event on the 4th, she was asked by the media about the award, but only smiled and did not accept the interview. She responded through the official website of the presidential office, as well as her personal Facebook page.
On her Facebook page, Tsai said the late Senator McCain was an admired American politician who fought for democracy and freedom throughout his life, and worked tirelessly to improve Taiwan’s security. Senator McCain was an old friend of mine and a good friend of Taiwan,” Tsai said. This award is an important recognition of Taiwan’s democracy by the international community. A united Taiwan will firmly guard democracy, continue to do a good job in preventing epidemics, and become a force for good capable of contributing to the world.”
Lin Yijing, who works as the executive director of Taiwan’s technology industry and often writes commentaries on current affairs, said in an interview with Radio Free Asia that McCain was a U.S. senator and ran for the U.S. presidency on behalf of the Republican Party. he was shot down in a warplane in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War in 1967. After being captured, the Vietcong beat him with rifle butts and bayoneted him, leaving him permanently disabled. When the Viet Cong discovered that McCain’s father was an admiral and the top commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, they even beat him severely every day, hoping he would give in and cooperate with the recording of a North Vietnamese propaganda video.
McCain is respected for his courage in not giving in, and it would be ironic if the award were to yield to Beijing’s pressure.
Lin Yijing said that when he heard that the Canadian government was reluctant to give the award to Tsai Ing-wen for fear of offending China, insiders were surprised by the news: “McCain represents the spirit of democracy and freedom, and is resolute and unwilling to compromise under pressure. So it would be beyond ironic if the Canadian government, under strong Chinese pressure, demanded that the Halifax International Security Forum not award the prize to Tsai Ing-wen.”
The award was established in honour of Senator McCain’s steadfast pursuit of the values of freedom, equality, opportunity and democracy.
The award is given to all of Taiwan’s people for their perseverance in the face of pressure, and for their moderation and determination.
In response to Tsai’s response, it was said that the honor goes to all of the people of Taiwan. The award is really for all the people of Taiwan and appears to be very indomitable, resolute and courageous.”
The company’s main business is to provide a wide range of products and services to the public. And Tsai Ing-wen’s speech, not to stimulate people, indomitable, very mild, and McCain image, the typical hero worshiped by Americans is the same.
Tsai Ing-wen’s cross-strait policy is recognized for sure
Professor Emeritus of National Chengchi University, Ding Shufan, interviewed by Radio Free Asia, believes that this award has increased Taiwan’s international visibility and “resistance to China” has earned President Tsai a positive image in the international arena. “It also shows that the international image and cross-strait policy of Tsai is basically positive. It was China itself that made the fatal mistakes, including the war wolf diplomacy, so fierce with the West, and his epidemic was not transparent, it was China itself that made the mistakes that made Taiwan be highlighted.”
The Halifax International Security Forum is scheduled to be held in Halifax, Canada from November 19 to 21. This will be the third time that HFX has awarded the John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service to the people of Lesbos, Greece, who rescued refugees in 2018, and to the people of Hong Kong for civil disobedience in 2019.
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