Recognition for the Loving Contributions of the Republic of China's Government

For many years the Republic of China's (ROC) government has pursued self-reliance and has cared for its people's well being. Meanwhile, it has also provided many countries in Asia, Africa and the Americas with technical and financial aid, which has helped improve those countries' health and educational environments and raise the living standards of the people. To commend this enlightened leadership and in recognition of its remarkable contributions to the international community, on July 12, Golden Year 3 (2006), fellow initiates presented the Shining World Leadership Award to the ROC government on behalf of Supreme Master Ching Hai.

The award ceremony was held in Taipei's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), with the award being accepted on behalf of MOFA by Ambassador Michel Ching-long Lu, Secretary General of MOFA. The award letter from Supreme Master Ching Hai was received on behalf of MOFA by Mr. Kuo-chiang Chiang, Vice Chairman of the NGO Affairs Committee.

MOFA officials and fellow initiates from the Association: Ambassador Michel Ching-long Lu, Secretary General of MOFA (3rd from left), and Mr. Kuo-chiang Chiang, Vice Chairman of NGO Affairs Committee (4th from left)

In presenting the award, Professor Luo, representative of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, said, "During some extremely urgent overseas rescue activities, the International Association received help many times from all levels of MOFA, including a variety of diplomatic procedures and other assistance. Many officials even accompanied us and worked overtime until late at night. Their loving dedication not only depicts the best model of government personnel but also sets a best example of the government which demonstrates humanitarian care and improves people's well being."

Accepting the award on behalf of MOFA, Secretary General Michel Ching-long Lu, said, "In the past, we have worked together 11 times with The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association on international humanitarian relief activities, including the South Asia tsunami, the Pakistan earthquake, the Algeria quake disaster, etc. We advocate humanitarian assistance; and in conjunction with The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, we have effectively sent out our love and compassion from Formosa. I am very happy that for the past decades ROC has put poverty behind them and has even had the ability to repay the international community. More importantly, non-governmental organizations in Formosa, especially The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, have proactively provided international cooperation and humanitarian assistance. These actions, of course, bring love and compassion from Formosa to the international society."

Then, Mr. Kuo-chiang Chiang said, "The award ceremony today fully demonstrates the contributions of international rescue and assistance activities from non-government organizations in Formosa. Humanitarian rescue and assistance does not have a border. For example, we were faced with tremendous difficulties in last year's assistance to the Pakistan earthquake disaster. But I was very deeply impressed that The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association overcame all the difficulties and the supplies were able to be transported from Formosa to Pakistan. This eventually allowed the victims in Pakistan to feel the love and compassion from Formosa. The whole thing really impressed me! A few days ago I went to visit your Association and watched a video. I truly realized then that The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association not only has a strong medical staff, but at the same time has organized an amphibious search and rescue team, which is surprisingly a quarter female. While watching them receiving training on mountains and in the ocean, etc., I was deeply touched. I want to use this opportunity to pay my highest respect and best wishes to the Association."

The award ceremony received tremendous attention from the Formosan media such as TVBS, FTV, ETTV and others, with positive reports and responses.

News of the award ceremony was reported by many Formosan media