【Epoch Times News, 12th January 2026】Former Chairman and Vice Chairman of the New York Taiwan Center, as well as Artistic Director of the Young Lions Youth Orchestra, Fang Xiurong, passed away on the evening of January 4th due to unsuccessful medical treatment at the age of 77, leaving the compatriots and community in mourning. The Taiwan Center will hold a memorial service for Fang Xiurong on January 25th (Sunday) at 1 pm in the center. In recent days, a few close friends of Fang Xiurong recalled her final days.
Chairman of the Elderly Center at the Taiwan Center, Dai Mingyi, who participated in a visit to Taiwan with Fang Xiurong in early December as part of the North American Seven Major Overseas Chinese Associations delegation, was a close friend as they were alumni of New York University. Dai Mingyi arrived in Taiwan on November 25th, while Fang Xiurong had gone to Japan for the orchestra’s performance and twisted her foot upon landing, having to use a wheelchair. Upon arriving in Taiwan from Japan, although initially in a wheelchair, Fang Xiurong insisted she no longer needed it the next day. During her time in Taiwan, her spirits remained high, and the two friends even bought many Taiwanese specialties to share with members of the Elderly Center upon returning. They had planned to rest for three days after returning to New York, but shortly after their return, news came that Fang Xiurong had been hospitalized.
Zhang Junsheng, Executive Director of the Young Lions Youth Orchestra, mentioned that Fang Xiurong returned to New York around December 10th. They had a phone call where she mentioned feeling unwell but still had strength, however, subsequent calls went unanswered. On the Saturday evening of December 13th, a friend visited her for two hours and left when she mentioned feeling tired. Attempts to reach her at 9 pm and 11 pm that night went unanswered, leading to concerns, prompting a call to her daughter. Her daughter rushed to her home and found her weakened but did not take her to the hospital. The next Sunday, her daughter and son-in-law visited her again, realizing the situation was more serious, so they took her to the hospital, where she underwent surgery around December 15th and remained in the ICU until her passing.
Zhang Junsheng shared that Fang Xiurong was always optimistic about the orchestra’s operations and never hesitated to spend money where necessary, saying, “She told us, if the money runs out, we’ll find more.” With the core figure gone, Zhang Junsheng stated, “The Youth Orchestra will continue Fang Xiurong’s vision, keep moving forward as far as we can, and we should learn from her optimism and resilience.”
Chief Advisor of the Flushing Chinese Business Association, Peter Du, recollected in his weekly commentary on his wife’s graduation from the National Taiwan College of Arts music department’s piano division along with Fang Xiurong. Both came to New York for further studies, with a sisterly bond in music and seamless collaboration. Du met Fang Xiurong and her husband in the 1990s, where the couple worked hard to nurture their two daughters’ musical talents. Fang Xiurong’s mother, known as one of the “Seven Fairy Maidens”, was a prominent city councilor during Taipei Mayor Lee Teng-hui’s tenure. Upon hearing Fang Xiurong’s return to Taiwan, Du was shocked to learn she was in the ICU, but upon hearing of her improvement, he sent words of encouragement, only to receive no reply until news of her passing on the 4th. Du expressed deep regret but sent his blessings for her peaceful journey.
President of the Greater New York Hakka Association, Chung Ailin, mentioned that after Fang Xiurong’s return from Taiwan, he exchanged texts with her on the evening of December 11th. Considering her recent return to the U.S. and the need to adjust to the time difference and rest, no call was made. However, a few days later, he was informed of Fang Xiurong’s hospitalization, having fainted at home and rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment and surgery, leading her to ICU. Chung Ailin lamented, “I should have called her on the night of December 11th; now, we can no longer hear her voice.”
According to the Taiwan Center’s announcement, at the request of the family, there will be no public farewell ceremony, and Fang Xiurong will be cremated and buried in the family cemetery. The memorial service will be held on January 25th (Sunday) at 1 pm at the Taiwan Center; and the Young Lions Youth Orchestra will hold a memorial concert on March 21st (Saturday) at 4 pm at the Taiwan Center.