The Taiwan Overseas Community Association in Northern California held a president handover ceremony at the South Bay Overseas Chinese School Center in San Jose on January 6th. Under the supervision of the center’s director, Chuang Yashu, Chen Qiongying officially took over as president, with Zhang Zhiyang appointed as vice president and treasurer.
The ceremony was presided over by the founding president of the association, Li Hanwen. Vice Director of the Overseas Chinese School Center, Cai Jiahua, Dr. Fu Hongyu, an overseas Chinese community leader, advisory committee member Lin Shenying, former president Han Zhongfen, and several directors of the association attended to witness the handover ceremony.
Outgoing President Chen Juncheng expressed in his speech that during his tenure, there was no need for emergency assistance, which he considered a positive sign. He emphasized the association’s role as a “fire brigade,” often representing overseas Chinese in emergency situations. He thanked the past presidents and directors for their continued dedication and stressed that the association’s goal is to assist Taiwanese overseas who are traveling, visiting relatives, or conducting business in the United States within its capabilities. The association has previously collaborated with teams to successfully handle numerous rescue cases, contributing to the community.
Director Chuang Yashu highlighted in her speech that the association was established in 2018 under the leadership of founding president Li Hanwen, in response to the call of the Overseas Community Affairs Commission to assist overseas Taiwanese, students, and foreign nationals in handling various emergencies. She commended the association’s long-term cooperation with the government, mainstream community, and emergency response units, continuously strengthening its emergency assistance capabilities. On behalf of the Overseas Community Affairs Commission and the San Francisco Office, she expressed gratitude for the association’s support over the years, mentioning that there are now 117 emergency assistance associations worldwide, forming an important overseas safety net.
During the ceremony, Director Chuang Yashu officiated the president handover ceremony and read out the certificates of appreciation and congratulations presented by the Overseas Community Affairs Commission.
Founding President Li Hanwen reflected on the early days of the association’s establishment when resources were limited, relying on the contributions of the South Bay overseas community and dedicated individuals to build a rescue network from scratch and actively integrate with American mainstream society. Over the years, the association has handled a total of 15 cases.
She stressed that the association differs from general organizations by prioritizing “emergency relief, not poverty relief,” focusing on handling sudden urgent events. Activities are centered around rescue training and cross-departmental cooperation, urging overseas Chinese to actively participate in safeguarding the safety of foreign visitors.
The newly appointed president, Chen Qiongying, expressed gratitude and a sense of responsibility in taking on the role. She pledged to expand the emergency assistance network, engage in discussions with entities like the Red Cross for collaboration, promote rescue training and resource integration to enhance rescue and self-help capabilities. She emphasized that the handover is not just a change in responsibilities but a continuation of the mission and the start of innovation, hoping for the association’s sustainable development to become a vital lifeline for overseas Taiwanese.
Fremont City Councilmember Teresa Keng also attended the event and acknowledged the importance of the association. She cited personal cases where the association played a crucial role when language barriers or unexpected situations left people stranded, providing critical safety support for overseas Chinese, students, and visitors.
Those in need of emergency assistance can contact the new president, Chen Qiongying, at (650) 799-1178, or the vice president, Zhang Zhiyang, at (669) 259-8547.