The President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, has been honoured with the prestigious Global Leadership Award for her exceptional “determination to resist tyranny,” according to the U.S.-based Hudson Institute, organisers of the award.

“We are honoured to host President Tsai. Under her leadership, the U.S. and Taiwan have expanded and deepened their security and economic relationship,” Miles Yu, the Institute’s director said in a statement on Thursday. “We are proud that America stands with Taiwan. And Hudson remains steadfast in promoting the security, freedom, and prosperity of America and its allies.”

Ms Ing-wen was commended for spearheading a vibrant democracy in Taiwan and promoting diplomatic relations between her country and the U.S.

“She has led a vibrant democracy with great courage and clear-eyed determination to resist tyranny and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Institute said in a statement.

Ms Ing-wen’s brief visit to New York to accept the Global Leadership Award has already sparked protests because she and other award ceremony attendees were prevented from using the hotel’s main entrance by demonstrators brandishing Chinese flags and banners and shouting anti-Taiwan slogans.

“This is not surprising in a democratic country, but it doesn’t make sense,” Yu said.

“Taiwan’s image in the world arena is becoming more and more positive, while China’s political ideology and tactics are reviled by all democracies around the world.”

The Taiwanese president is scheduled to meet with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other members of Congress in Los Angeles after her trip to Central and South America, a move that has caused China’s Taiwan Office to threaten “resolute countermeasures.”