Order of Brilliant Star () is a civilian order of the Republic of China (Taiwan) recognizing outstanding contributions to the country's development. The order was instituted in 1941 and can be awarded to both domestic and foreign nationals.
Order medal and ranks
The center of the medal is a five-pointed star in token of virtue. The name "Brilliant Star" came from the ancient book of Records of the Grand Historian () which says "The Brilliant Stars, which differs in appearance from time to time, shine upon the nations of the righteous."
There are nine ranks within the order according to the Article of Decorations of the Republic of China. First rank is awarded by the President of Republic of China.
Classes Grades Ribbon bar1st Class (Special Grand Cordon)2nd Class (Grand Cordon)3rd Class (Purple Grand Cordon)4th Class (Special Cravat)5th Class (Cravat)6th Class (Special Rosette)7th Class (Rosette)8th Class (Special Ribbon)9th Class (Ribbon)
Recipients
First Rank
Nationals Date AwardedRecipientService Awarded For14 May 2025Anthony Chung-Yi HoTaiwanese diplomat to the Holy See6 February 2021Chow WangSecretary-General of The Coalition17 December 2015Pai Hsien-yung17 December 2015Yu Guangzhong5 October 2012Tseng Yung-chuanSecretary-General of the Presidential Office24 February 2012Wu Jin-linSecretary-General of the Presidential Office17 February 2012Sean ChenVice premier of the Republic of China31 January 2011Liao Liou-yiSecretary-General of the Presidential Office9 November 2010Hsieh Tsai-chuan15 September 2009Paul ChiuVice premier of the Republic of China15 September 2009Chan Chun-poSecretary-General of the Presidential Office16 July 2009Chiu Hong-Da7 May 2008Mark ChenSecretary-General of the Presidential Office20 May 2007Lee JyeMinister of National Defence16 February 2006Paul Shan Cardinal Kuo-hsi, SJRoman Catholic Cardinal of Taiwan27 January 2006Wu Rong-iVice premier of the Republic of China2 March 2005Su Tseng-changPresident of the Executive Yuan2 March 2005Yeh Chu-lanVice premier of the Republic of China19 May 2004Kang Ning-hsiangSecretary-General of National Security Council19 May 2004Chiou I-jenSecretary-General of the Presidential Office18 May 2004Tang Yao-mingMinister of National Defence18 May 2004Lin Hsin-iVice premier of the Republic of China25 September 2003Lee Ming-liangHead of Department of Health30 January 2003Chen ShimengSecretary-General of the Presidential Office4 February 2002Lai In-jawVice premier of the Republic of China31 January 2002Yu Shyi-kunPremier of the Republic of China6 September 2001Chuang Ming-yaoSecretary-General of National Security Council16 May 2000Yin Tsung-wenSecretary-General of National Security Council16 May 2000Liu Chao-shiuanVice premier of the Republic of China2000Lin Rong-San3 August 1996Wu Po-hsiungSecretary-General of the Presidential Office27 December 1994Kwoh-Ting LiMinister of Finance & Minister of Economic Affairs16 April 1994Chiang Wei-kuoSecretary-General of National Security Council2 March 1993Ta-You WuPresident of Academia SinicaJuly 1978Yu Kuo-hwaPremier of the Republic of China1961Jack C. K. TengChairman of Chinese National Olympic Committee (Now Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee)10 October 1945Zhu JiahuaDeputy President of Academia Sinica1944Chen Li-FuSenior Advisor of State1944Zhang QunPremier of the Republic of China1 January 1944Zhang BolingPresident and founder of Nankai University
Foreign Nationals Date AwardedRecipientService Awarded For9 May 2024Hideo Tarumi Japanese diplomat23 March 2023Robert O'BrienU.S. National Security Advisor11 March 2022Edwin LaurentSt. Lucia Ambassador to the Republic of China3 March 2022 Mike PompeoFormer U.S. Secretary of State1 September 2015Ed Royce (2nd time)Chairman of the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs12 June 2017Reinaldo Pared PérezSpeaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic8 April 2016Ludwig KekeAmbassador of Nauru to Taiwan7 April 2016Paul Fitzpatrick RussellApostolic Nuncio to the Republic of China15 September 2015Juan AfaraVice President of Paraguay15 September 2015Hugo A. VelazquezSpeaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay31 July 2015Manuel Salvador dos RamosMinister of Foreign Affairs (São Tomé and Príncipe)31 July 2015Frederic Laplanchehead of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei26 July 2015Philip KabuaMarshall Islands Ambassador to the Republic of China9 July 2015Caroline VermeulenDirector of the Belgian Office in Taipei15 April 2015Christopher J. MarutDirector of the American Institute in Taiwan15 April 2015Calvin EuHead Trade Representative of the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei13 March 2015Ed RoyceChairman of the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs17 July 2012William StantonChairman of American Institute in Taiwan11 October 2011Donald RumsfeldFormer U.S. Secretary of Defense3 June 2008Julio Guillermo González GamarraPresident of Central American Parliament19 May 2008Shintaro IshiharaGovernor of Tokyo15 April 2008Chikage OogiPresident of Japanese House of Councillors22 November 2006Yoshirō MoriFormer Prime Minister of Japan23 November 2004Václav HavelFormer President of the Czech RepublicMay 2000Per AhlmarkSupport for democratization of Taiwan23 October 1969Mai Mai GanaNigerian state inspector Alt URL23 October 1969Mouddou ZakaraNigerian Minister of TelecommunicationsMay 1960Archie LochheadPresident of Universal Trading CorporationMarch 1948Ronald HallBishop of the Diocese of Hong Kong and Macao
Second Rank
Nationals Date AwardedRecipientService Awarded For6 May 2016Shen Lyu-shunROC Representative to the United States6 May 2016David LinMinister of Foreign Affairs, R.O.C.1 March 2016Bruce ChengLong-term and outstanding contributions to the country in terms of technology development, industrial upgrading and talent cultivation. 14 November 2013Lo Chih-chiangDeputy Secretary-General of the ROC Presidential Office2 May 2006Ang LeeOutstanding service in film directing. The Presidential Office announced that Ang Lee will be honoured First Rank OBS in 2013. 12 July 1975Fredrick ChienVice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, R.O.C. 23 March 1966Yu-Tang Daniel LewAmbassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, R.O.C.
Foreign Nationals Date AwardedRecipientService Awarded For6 May 2026Michael J. Fonte26 February 2026Sadaharu OhJapan-based baseball legend25 February 2026Andrea Clare BowmanVincentian diplomat to Taiwan23 January 2026Cheloy E. Velicaria-GarafilFormer Chairperson and Resident Representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office20 January 2026Markéta Pekarová AdamováFormer President of the Chamber of Deputies (Czech Republic)9 October 2025Candice PittsBelizean diplomat to Taiwan27 June 2025Ohashi MitsuoFormer Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman3 June 2025Hilda C. HeinePresident of the Marshall Islands2 May 2025Carlos José Fleitas RodríguezParaguayan diplomat to Taiwan22 April 2025Roudy Stanley PennHaitian diplomat to Taiwan7 April 2025Ushio Shigeru14 January 2025Gabrielius LandsbergisLithuania Minester of Foreign Affairs 3 January 2025Oscar Adolfo Padilla LamGuatemalan diplomat to Taiwan22 July 2024 Filip GrzegorzewskiHead of the European Economic and Trade Office to Tiwan3 July 2024Sandra Oudkirk Director of the American Institute in Taiwan21 December 2015David Alexander21 December 2015Etienne Georges Beauregard21 December 2015Andres Diaz de Rabago21 December 2015Daniel Freeman21 December 2015Theresa Kastner21 December 2015Fr. Gian Carlo Michelini21 December 2015Yves Moal21 December 2015Brendan O'Connell21 December 2015Antoine Pierrot21 December 2015Giovanni Rizz21 December 2015Juanelva Rose21 December 2015Miljenka Schnetzer17 September 1988 Albert Allen SealeyOctober 1980Pik BothaSouth African Minister of Foreign Affairs1970Ta-Chung LiuEconomist1961Tomás Gabriel Duque
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