The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Tuesday evening held an award ceremony and gratitude banquet for groups that helped the nation fight the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years.
The event at the Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel was attended by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), former minister of health and welfare and Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) director Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) and Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Victor Wang (王必勝), who succeeded Chen Shih-chung as CECC head, as well as about 400 representatives from all walks of life.
The event began with a minute of silence in tribute to the more than 19,000 people who have died from COVID-19 in Taiwan.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Tsai offered sincere condolences on behalf of the government to the lives lost during the pandemic and expressed gratitude to those who contributed to fighting COVID-19.
“There are endless people to thank and endless heartfelt gratitude to express,” she said. “We are truly thankful for all of you. It is so good for Taiwan to have you.”
Taiwan and its international partners helped each other overcome the harsh challenges of the pandemic, Tsai said.
Now that life is gradually returning to normal, Taiwan welcomes its friends from around the world to visit the nation, Tsai said.
However, there would be more challenges in the future, she said, urging the international community to continue to work with Taiwan.
Chen Chien-jen said Taiwan demonstrated its resilience in the face of many disasters and adversities.
Lessons learned from fighting SARS in 2003 prepared Taiwan for the pandemic, the premier said, adding that under the lead of Tsai, Su, CECC officials and frontline disease prevention and healthcare personnel, as well as collective efforts from the public, Taiwan performed well in fighting COVID-19.
He said he believes no matter what challenges lie ahead, Taiwanese would continue to enhance social cohesion to make Taiwan a better, warm-hearted and resilient country.
Tsai and Chen Chien-jen presented 108 awards to healthcare professionals, frontline disease prevention teams, local governments and other groups, such as those involved in organizing disease prevention taxi services.
The event ended with officials holding placards with letters spelling out “Taiwan end COVID-19” and “Taiwan COVID-19 hope and resilience.”
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