The American Legislative Exchange Council has presented President Tsai Ing-wen with its International Pioneer Award for Leadership. Tsai is the second international head of state to win the honor: the only other to have done so was Margaret Thatcher in 2006.
During an acceptance speech in Taipei, Tsai said she was accepting the award on behalf of the Taiwanese people. The president invoked the words of Margaret Thatcher saying “When people are free to choose, they choose freedom.”
Tsai said that Taiwan has come a long way as a democratic society. She said that Taiwan owes its prosperity to the people and leaders that came before her. Without them, Tsai said, Taiwan would not be the beacon of freedom and democracy in Asia that it is today.
Tsai said that Taiwan is proud to be the democracy it is, and that the country is willing to share its experience with others. She said her role is to preserve and defend Taiwan’s democracy. She also said that she will never stop seeking a peaceful and stable relationship with China.