The Chinese Fellowship Association held its 60th anniversary celebration luncheon on March 21 at the Nanwan Overseas Chinese Education Center, along with the Chinese New Year gathering of the Year of the Horse and the Chairman’s handover ceremony. The event attracted a large crowd from the overseas Chinese community in the Bay Area, making it a grand celebration.
Founded in 1966, the Chinese Fellowship Association has been dedicated to promoting Chinese culture, adhering to the principles of “fostering friendships, exchanging knowledge, promoting Chinese culture, and facilitating cultural exchanges between the East and the West,” and has made significant contributions to cultural inheritance and exchange overseas.
The event kicked off with performances by the Chunqiu Chinese Music Orchestra playing classic Cantonese tunes such as “Yule Shengping,” “Pinghu Qiuyue,” and “Rain Hitting Plantain Leaves,” creating a lively and festive atmosphere. The day’s program revolved around five main themes: poetry, calligraphy, musical instruments, painting, and drama, featuring poetry recitations, calligraphy demonstrations, Chinese music performances, art exhibitions, and Peking opera, showcasing the beauty of traditional Chinese arts.
Outgoing Chairman Mao Xiaoling expressed her gratitude in her speech, acknowledging the 60th anniversary as a tribute not only to the celebration but also to the predecessors of the past generations. She thanked the support and dedication of past directors, supervisors, and members, allowing the association to thrive overseas and continue its cultural heritage. She also reviewed the accomplishments during her tenure, thanking the team for their collaboration in accomplishing various tasks and hoping for the continued success and vibrancy in the future.
The Chairman’s handover ceremony was also held on the same day, supervised jointly by Zhu Yongchang, Deputy Director of the Taiwan Representative Office in San Francisco, and Zhuang Yashu, Director of the Nanwan Overseas Chinese Education Center. Director Zhuang Yashu read out the congratulations and appreciations from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, followed by a group photo of all the directors, supervisors, and honorary advisors.
In his speech, Zhu Yongchang acknowledged the significance of the Chinese Fellowship Association established against a special historical backdrop, emphasizing its dedication to promoting culture and facilitating exchanges over the past 60 years.
He praised the association’s long-standing involvement in public welfare activities and support for various overseas Chinese affairs of the Republic of China, and wished for the continued inheritance and rejuvenation of its mission.
Director Zhuang Yashu pointed out that the Chinese Fellowship Association has actively promoted art and cultural activities over the years, allowing mainstream society to engage with and understand Chinese culture, achieving fruitful outcomes, with hopes to reach new heights in the future.
The newly appointed Chairman, Wang Wanjun, expressed her honor and profound responsibility in taking over the role. She mentioned injecting new elements of the era onto the foundation of 60 years, integrating technology with culture, expanding development direction, and continuing to serve the overseas Chinese community while promoting cultural inheritance.