President Chen Shui-bian on the morning of May 7 conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Canadian Senator Mac Harb. Presented to Senator Harb on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), the honor is in recognition of his long-term efforts and outstanding contributions to promoting substantive and friendly relations between the two countries.
President Chen and Senator Harb held discussions after the conclusion of the formal ceremony. President Chen especially thanked Senator Harb for his friendliness to and staunch support for Taiwan. The president noted that Senator Harb visited Taiwan each year for the five years between 2004 and this year. He added that Senator Harb has spoken on behalf of Taiwan on many occasions in the Canadian Parliament and has spoken in favor of Taiwan's entry into the World Health Organization, World Health Assembly and other important international organizations. He was also instrumental in forging support in Canada for Taiwan's 2002 entry into the World Trade Organization, enabling Taiwan to become the 144th member nation of that body. President Chen said he hopes to share Taiwan's delight and pride in entering international organizations with the government and people of Canada. He added that he is pleased to be able to meet again with such a good friend to Taiwan. President Chen said that Senator Harb also takes part in the Democratic Pacific Union (DPU), which Vice President Annette Lu played a key role in founding. He also served as the deputy chairman of the Pacific Congressional Caucus and has served as one of the key figures in a Canadian think tank. The president lauded Senator Harb for his enormous achievements in successfully promoting the agenda of the DPU.
President Chen furthermore said that disease prevention knows no borders. The right to health for the 23 million people of Taiwan should not be neglected by the international community, creating a gap in the global disease prevention system. The president expressed his appreciation to Senator Harb for his long support for Taiwan's entry into international organizations, a stance that has won him the respect and admiration among the Taiwan people, he said. He said he hopes Senator Harb will continue to provide Taiwan with the utmost support and encouragement.
Senator Harb said he has maintained close interaction with the people of Taiwan for many years and has built deep friendships and ties with Taiwan. He said that receiving the Order is an enormous honor for him, adding that he admires the diligence, earnestness, optimism and alacrity of the Taiwan people who are willing to make sacrifices. These are the qualities that have enabled Taiwan's per capital income to rise from US$600 to the levels of a wealthy nation. This outstanding achievement, he said, could only have been accomplished thanks to the development and infrastructure initiated by the government, along with the industriousness of the people. This combination of factors is what is responsible for Taiwan's globally recognized success, he said.
Senator Harb also said that Taiwan is a mature, responsible democratic country that pursues the truth on the basis of facts. He said Taiwan strives to make contributions to the international community and organizations and provides international cooperation and humanitarian relief at appropriate times, helping those around the world in desperate need of assistance. He said he believes Taiwan's democratic achievements will enable Taiwan to face its past and also to embrace the challenges that lie ahead.