President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has presented former US national security advisor Robert O’Brien with the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon. Tsai said at the ceremony on Tuesday that O’Brien is awarded the honor for his contribution to stronger US-Taiwan relations.
Tsai also says O’Brien’s success in promoting official US visits to Taiwan and the enhancement of US-Taiwan trade ties have set important milestones for the two countries. Tsai thanked the United States for its interest in Taiwan’s security issues and for working with Taiwan to safeguard regional peace and stability.
O’Brien says Taiwan is a model of democracy, rule of law, and freedom. He adds that totalitarian and authoritarian regimes do not respect democratic values, and the US is upset to see an authoritarian regime attack Taiwan. O’Brien says he guarantees that the US will stand in solidarity with Taiwan.
But O’Brien clarified that his country has no intention to change the status quo in Taiwan. He says he does not want to see the world repeat old patterns, with powerful countries invading smaller ones for the sake of national glory and economic interests.