President Tsai confers decoration on Director of the American Institute in Taiwan Kin W. Moy
On the morning of July 3 President Tsai Ing-wen presented Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Kin W. Moy with the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon to recognize his outstanding contributions toward stronger Taiwan-US relations, and thank Director Moy for all he has done to upgrade substantive Taiwan-US cooperation and enhance Taiwan's cooperative relations with other countries in the region.
In remarks, President Tsai noted that Director Moy has invariably been on hand over the past two-plus years to accompany important guests on visits to the Presidential Office. But on this particular occasion, the director himself was in the spotlight. The president said she was delighted to confer the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon upon Director Moy in recognition of and appreciation for his outstanding contributions toward stronger Taiwan-US relations.
President Tsai noted that Director Moy set three goals when he assumed his position three years ago. One was to build up a strong relationship of trust with the government of Taiwan. Another was to make sure that the people of Taiwan understand that "the US is Taiwan's best friend." And yet another was to see through the completion of the AIT's new office complex in Taipei's Neihu District. Director Moy has achieved all of these goals, she said.
President Tsai pointed out that together, Taiwan and the US have achieved much success thanks in no small part to Director Moy’s efforts and assistance. Bilateral relations have steadily improved, and there has been progress on many important fronts. For example, the US Department of State has approved marketing licenses that will allow US defense contractors to provide technologies and hardware to help Taiwan manufacture its own submarines; US President Donald Trump announced within a half-year after assuming office that the US would sell US$1.42 billion worth of arms to Taiwan; Taiwan has joined the US Global Entry program; and many senior US government officials have visited Taiwan.
The president mentioned that at the grand opening ceremony last month for the AIT's new office complex in Taipei's Neihu District, she was very happy to witness the historic occasion alongside Director Moy and an envoy sent by the US government.
President Tsai thanked Director Moy for his active efforts to upgrade substantive Taiwan-US cooperation on regional and global matters such as public health, energy, information and communications technology, and women's empowerment. Taiwan and the US have shared their experience and professional expertise in national development, contributed to the Indo-Pacific region, and spurred further enhancement of Taiwan's relations with other countries in the region.
President Tsai stated that Director Moy's efforts have proven that what he said is true: "the US is Taiwan's best friend," and the same holds true for Mr. Moy himself. In the past few years, he has traveled all over Taiwan, interacted with local governments throughout the country, and made creative use of the AIT Facebook page to share American culture. He has embodied and reflected the friendship between Taiwan and the US, so that Taiwanese can really feel that the US is Taiwan's most sincere and steadfast partner.
President Tsai emphasized that in both official and private exchanges, Director Moy has been a forceful promoter of Taiwan-US relations. She further expressed hope that this strong force will continue to enhance and develop Taiwan-US ties.
And finally, noting that Director Moy was disappointed that he will not have had an opportunity to visit Kinmen before leaving his post this month, the president said that there are many places all over Taiwan that are waiting for him to visit again. Taiwan will always be his second home, and welcomes him back to visit anytime. He will always have the best wishes of the people of Taiwan, she said.
After receiving his decoration, Director Moy also delivered remarks. In addition to thanking President Tsai for conferring upon him the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, he also thanked her for her strong support for Taiwan-US relations. Without this support, he said, bilateral ties would not be as strong as they are. He also thanked President Tsai once again for attending the grand opening of the AIT's new office complex in Taipei's Neihu District, and stated his belief that many people found it quite moving as they witnessed the opening of the new office complex, which symbolizes the lasting friendship between our two countries. In addition, he also expressed gratitude to former President Ma Ying-jeou and his administration for the many years that they spent working to maintain a close partnership with the US.
Director Moy said that upon taking up his position three years ago, he spoke with co-workers at AIT about his vision for promoting Taiwan-US relations, saying he hoped to promote increased bilateral cooperation because this would be the right thing to do for the people of both Taiwan and the US. He said he was very thankful to his AIT co-workers for supporting this vision, and helping him to do just that. He said he was proud to receive the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, and that the honor belonged to all the staff at AIT. He further expressed confidence that Taiwan-US relations will continue to flourish.
Among those on hand for the ceremony were Director Moy's wife, Kathy Chen (陳舲舲), American Institute in Taiwan Deputy Director Raymond Greene, American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei Chairman Albert Chang, Secretary-General to the President Chen Chu (陳菊), National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維), and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮).