On January 18, the 49th President and Executive Officers Handover Ceremony of the New York Taiwan Chamber of Commerce was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Flushing. The event was attended by numerous elected officials, guests, and community representatives from New York. This ceremony was not only an annual gathering but also highlighted the significant role of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in promoting economic and trade exchanges between Taiwan and the United States, as well as serving the community.
The evening began with Hsushaoen performing the American national anthem, followed by a speech from Yeshijia, the Director of the Investment and Trade Office of Taiwan in the United States, on behalf of the Director of the New York Office, Li Zhiqiang. In his speech, he emphasized Taiwan’s important position in international trade. He pointed out that from January to October 2024, Taiwan was the seventh-largest trading partner of the United States. The total trade volume even surpassed the trade scale between the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, and the United States. Yeshijia also extended his well wishes to the new team of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce for a prosperous term, encouraging them to continue exerting influence and bringing more opportunities for bilateral trade cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.
Re-elected President Lin Qingfu of the New York Taiwan Chamber of Commerce expressed gratitude and a sense of mission in his speech. He stressed that the position of the president is not just an honor but also a commitment to serve the board members and the community. He reiterated the three core missions of the chamber: promoting business opportunities, serving the community, and deepening economic and trade exchanges between Taiwan and the United States. President Lin specifically highlighted the successes of the chamber in organizing events and enhancing exchanges over the past year, such as the innovative “AI Taiwan Day” event, which attracted numerous community members and hosted a forum with Steven Chen, co-founder of YouTube, further solidifying the role of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce as a bridge between Taiwan and the United States.
Looking ahead to the future, President Lin mentioned that the New York Taiwan Chamber of Commerce is approaching its 50th anniversary in 2026, a significant milestone. He announced several important plans, including modernizing the chamber’s articles, attracting more professionals from innovative fields, and establishing a long-term development plan to lay the foundation for the chamber’s sustainable growth.
Several elected officials from New York also attended the event, expressing their affirmation and support for the New York Taiwan Chamber of Commerce. This includes Congresswoman Meng Zhaowen, State Assemblyman Ron Kim, State Senator Liu Chunyi, and City Councilor Huang Minyi, who praised the chamber for its contributions in promoting multicultural exchanges and community prosperity.
In conclusion, the ceremony underscored the vital role of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in facilitating economic ties between Taiwan and the United States and its dedication to serving the local community. With a pledge to continue fostering partnerships and driving growth, the chamber is poised to mark its 50th anniversary with a renewed commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and enhance mutual prosperity.