President Tsai Ing-wen awarded the founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Morris Chang, with the “Order of the Precious Brilliant Grand Cross of the Restoration” on April 19th. She hailed Chang as a role model for all Taiwanese, citing his innovative spirit, leadership, and practicality as exemplary qualities.
In her speech, President Tsai recalled awarding Chang with the “Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon” six years ago, acknowledging his contributions to Taiwan’s high-tech industry and economic development. She expressed gratitude for Chang’s role in showcasing Taiwan to the world through technology, innovation, and dedication. President Tsai emphasized the significance of presenting Chang with the “Order of the Precious Brilliant Grand Cross of the Restoration,” the highest honor of the nation, for representing Taiwan at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting six times on her behalf.
President Tsai highlighted Chang’s exceptional leadership and unparalleled wisdom, emphasizing his crucial role in solidifying Taiwan’s presence on the global stage. She praised Chang as a visionary entrepreneur, valued advisor in state affairs, and a driving force behind Taiwan’s semiconductor industry’s success, which is integral to the nation’s economic growth.
Recognizing TSMC’s innovative business model under Chang’s guidance, President Tsai lauded the company for propelling Taiwan’s semiconductor industry onto the international stage. She commended TSMC’s efforts in promoting supply chain localization and driving the nation’s resilience and competitiveness within the global supply chain. President Tsai attributed Taiwan’s semiconductor industry’s world-class status and global recognition to Chang’s leadership role at APEC, which showcased Taiwan as a capable, trustworthy, and indispensable partner on the world stage.
President Tsai praised Chang for bridging Taiwan to the world and fostering an environment where global innovation and leadership qualities set an example for all Taiwanese. She expressed her sincere gratitude to Chang, his wife Mrs. Zhang Shufen, and the TSMC Education and Culture Foundation for their philanthropic activities benefiting society, such as their selfless contribution during the recent Hualien earthquake relief efforts.
Amidst rapid technological advancements in the semiconductor sector, AI applications, and structural changes in commercial and lifestyle patterns, President Tsai acknowledged the evolving challenges facing the world. She expressed confidence that Taiwan, guided by Chang’s spirit of proactive innovation and visionary leadership, would overcome obstacles and triumph in the future.
In his acceptance speech, Morris Chang expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him by the President, recognizing it as an affirmation of his three decades of dedication to establishing and leading TSMC as a world-class technology company in Taiwan. He acknowledged the collective efforts of all TSMC employees and retired partners who contributed to the company’s success.
Chang also thanked his wife, Mrs. Zhang Shufen, for her unwavering support and leadership in TSMC and the TSMC Charity Foundation. Reflecting on TSMC’s genesis 39 years ago, he described it as a convergence of his personal ambition to establish a leading semiconductor company and the Taiwanese government’s support for the semiconductor industry, culminating in miraculous success.
Addressing current challenges faced by TSMC, including resource constraints and global competition, Chang underscored the need for continued support from the government and all sectors. He expressed confidence in the current leadership team at TSMC to navigate complexities in the market and lead the company to further success and contributions to Taiwan.
Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony were Vice President and President-elect Lai Ching-Te, Vice President-elect Hsiao Mei-Chin, Presidential Advisor Lin Chuan, National Security Council Secretary-General Gau Li-Hsiang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-Hua, Presidential Deputy Secretary-General Huang Chung-Yan, TSMC Chairman Liu De-En, President Wei Che-Chia, Executive Vice President and Co-CEO Jacky YU, AIT Taipei Director Sandra Oudkirk, and family members and friends of Morris Chang.
Editor: Ye Ziwei#