President Ma Ying-jeou on the afternoon of March 13 bestowed the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce in recognition of his work and contributions in promoting ROC-US relations.
In remarks, President Ma stated that relations between the two countries are the best they have been in 36 years, and that the US Congress has consistently played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral ties. For instance, the Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) after diplomatic relations between the ROC and the United States were severed in 1979, and this legislation has been crucial in fostering stability in the bilateral relationship and forging continued close cooperation.
The president pointed out that since assuming his position as chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in 2013, Representative Royce has promoted legislation that continues and further strengthens congressional friendship and support for the ROC. For example, last year marked the 35th anniversary of the passage of the TRA and Chairman Royce introduced House Resolution 494 - Affirming the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs also convened a hearing on "The Promise of the Taiwan Relations Act," during which Chairman Royce expressed his support for Taiwan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as well as reiterating America's security pledges to Taiwan in accordance with the TRA and the "Six Assurances."
President Ma stated that toward the end of last year, Chairman Royce and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations cooperated to ensure the passage of Senate Bill S.1683 prior to the conclusion of the 113th session of Congress. That Bill authorized the sale of four Perry-class frigates to Taiwan to help enhance national defense capabilities. Meanwhile, Chairman Royce in 2013 introduced and promoted the passage of House Resolution 1151 that supports Taiwan's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This helped Taiwan garner an invitation to attend the ICAO Assembly as a special guest. The president went on to say that Chairman Royce has repeatedly expressed his support in public for Taiwan's participation in the TPP, and for the negotiation and signing of a bilateral investment agreement (BIA) between the two countries.
President Ma also expressed his gratitude to Chairman Royce for inviting some of congressmen to visit Taiwan each year, which boosts interaction between the two countries at the highest levels. On his visit to Taiwan last year, Chairman Royce also applauded the efforts and actions of the ROC government in reducing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
The president stressed that the ROC and the United States view each other as important partners, and both countries share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and human rights. President Ma is confident that the ROC-US relationship will continue to thrive in the future with strong support from Chairman Royce and others in attendance.
After President Ma concluded his remarks, Chairman Royce made a statement. He commented that the two major parties in the United States Congress have strong friendships with Taiwan, and that as a result he annually leads a delegation of heavyweight congressmen here to express their resolute support for Taiwan.
Apart from applauding President Ma for introducing his East China Sea Peace Initiative, which Chairman Royce said has helped promote regional peace, he also said that the signing of a fisheries agreement between Taiwan and Japan proves that disputes in the East China Sea can be resolved peacefully through negotiation. He urged the Philippine government to respect the rights of Taiwanese fisherman after the Guang Da Xing No. 28 incident occurred, in which personnel on a Philippine Coast Guard vessel fired shots at a Taiwanese fishing boat, killing a fisherman and damaging the boat, in overlapping economic waters.
Chairman Royce stated that he will continue to support Taiwan's participation in international organizations in the future, including the TPP. He also hopes that Taiwan and the United States will sign a BIA as soon as possible to add further depth to the bilateral cooperative relationship.
Among those present to witness the ceremony were Representative Nita Lowey, Democratic Ranking Member on the House Committee on Appropriations, and Mr. Lowey; House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Luke Messer and Mrs. Messer; House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions and Mrs. Sessions; and Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific Matt Salmon. Also in attendance were American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Christopher J. Marut, Secretary-General to the President Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權), and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrew Jen-Chuan Kao (高振群).