Vice Chairman Li Yanhui of the Taiwan Affairs Office recently visited the San Francisco Bay Area and on May 16th, she paid a visit to the Northern California Taiwanese Association and held a discussion session with Taiwanese compatriots.
During the event, Vice Chairman Li warmly greeted the Taiwanese compatriots in attendance, thanking and encouraging them to contribute to Taiwan’s grassroots diplomacy efforts, showcasing Taiwan to the world and promoting understanding of Taiwan.
She emphasized in her speech that Taiwan’s global acceptance and popularity stem from its economic development, social progress, and the excellent democratic system in Taiwan.
Pointing out the unique circumstances Taiwan faces, she highlighted the importance of grassroots diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges. She pointed to the longstanding relationships between Taiwan and various levels of government and elected officials in California, emphasizing that this development heavily relied on the efforts and relationships of the Taiwan compatriots in Northern California.
She informed attendees that in recent years, Taiwan has achieved successes in cultural and educational exchanges with the international community, gradually enabling mainstream American society to understand what Taiwan society desires and the future blueprint that Taiwan envisions.
Introducing herself, Vice Chairman Li shared that she hails from Hsinchu, Taiwan, growing up alongside the Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park. She encouraged Taiwan compatriots to actively engage in exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S., especially in areas of technological development, innovation, diaspora community services, and cultural education for the new generation.
During the roundtable discussion, Vice Chairman Li also highlighted Taiwan’s current demand for overseas talents, urging Taiwanese Americans raised in North America to return to Taiwan, build their careers, and realize their dreams.
Former Vice Chairman of the Northern California Taiwanese Association, Chen Wenyi, spoke at the event, sharing that she has been a part of the San Francisco Taiwanese American community since she was young. She recalled gaining an understanding of the 228 Incident in elementary school and empathizing with the emotional pain endured by elders during the White Terror era and their resilience in the face of repression, surveillance, and exile.
Chen reflected on the establishment of the Taiwanese Association in 1973, originating from various organizations, including a democratic study group. Over the past fifty years, the association has been a home for Taiwanese individuals in Northern California, fostering cross-generational connections, cultural nurturing, encouraging participation, and striving for Taiwan’s democratic future.
She expressed her deep sense of belonging to the association, having grown up with the elders from the community. She stressed that the association serves not only as a venue for celebrating festivals and gatherings but also as a place that promotes exchanges at political and emotional levels. Chen particularly thanked the association for nurturing and investing in the new generation.
Reflecting on her experiences as a second-generation Taiwanese American in the community, Chen shared her involvement with elder members in activities advocating for Taiwan’s accession to the World Health Organization (WHO). She believed that such activities help sustain the Taiwanese American community’s sense of identity.
Emphasizing Taiwan’s significance as not just a strategically important location for the free world but also a place rich in diverse cultures and diverse ethnic groups, Chen urged the Taiwanese American community to make greater efforts to showcase Taiwan to the world and ensure Taiwan’s right to self-determination over its future.
Participants at the roundtable discussed various topics related to the new generation of Taiwanese Americans, such as learning Mandarin, pursuing career opportunities in Taiwan, serving in the Taiwanese military, and issues of taxation between Taiwan and the U.S.
The meeting was presided over by President Huang Guihua of the Northern California Taiwanese Association. Attendees included officials such as Director Zhuang Yashu of the Overseas Chinese Education Center, Committee Members Zhang Zhengbang, Lin Zhengyuan, Liu Lingxia, and Chen Yangming, President of the Taiwanese Association of East Bay in Northern California Ke Yifang, and nearly a hundred compatriots from the Northern California Taiwanese American community, participating in discussions and a post-meeting gathering. ◇