The Taiwan Representative Office in San Francisco held a farewell dinner party on January 28th (Wednesday) at the office to bid farewell to Deputy Director of the Economic Division, Huang Hao, Deputy Director of the Consular Division, Hong Yuling, and Secretary of the Economic Division, Qiu Yuxuan, who were being transferred back to Taiwan. They also welcomed the newly appointed Deputy Director Lin Meixiu and Consul Wang Shujia. The event was well-attended by distinguished guests, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
The Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, Wu Zhixiang, delivered a speech at the event. Deputy Director Zhu Yongchang, Director of the Taiwan Center in the Bay Area, Zhuang Yashu, and numerous leaders from the northern and southern California Taiwanese communities were present, adding to the festive occasion. The guests included Overseas Community Affairs Council members Lin Zhengyuan, Li Yuanlin, Chen Yangming, Zhang Zhengbang, Liu Lingxia, Yu Jianquan, Zhao Bingxian, Lin Mayubing and their spouses, as well as the President of the Youth Chamber of Commerce, Tan Zhiren, and several colleagues from the office.
Wu Zhixiang expressed in his speech that the three colleagues had served at the office for many years and were now being reassigned to undertake new responsibilities in Taiwan. With the addition of two new members to the team, he took the opportunity during the Chinese New Year season to introduce them and extend New Year greetings to the overseas Chinese community in advance. He emphasized the vitality and enthusiasm of the Taiwanese community in the Bay Area and pledged to continue improving services while promoting economic and trade relations and political exchanges between Taiwan and the United States. The office will also strive to serve the Taiwanese and residents of Northern California, Southern California, Utah, and Nevada to the best of their abilities.
Wu Zhixiang also expressed that any feedback or suggestions from the overseas Chinese community are welcomed, and the office will coordinate with relevant authorities to address them collectively, aiming to provide the highest quality service. He thanked the community for their long-term support and understanding.
Northern California Overseas Community Affairs Council member Lin Mayubing mentioned that the Lunar New Year is an important moment filled with hope and blessings for the people of the Republic of China and the Chinese community. She wished for a strong nation, a better life for the people, and a smooth career transition for the three colleagues returning to Taiwan and a successful tenure for the two new colleagues working in the United States.
Representing the Southern California Overseas Community Affairs Council, Li Yuanlin thanked the three departing colleagues for their silent dedication to political and economic affairs over the years. He extended his best wishes for their continued success upon returning to Taiwan and looked forward to the professionalism and enthusiasm of the new colleagues, believing they would inject new energy into the office team and further deepen Taiwan-US relations to benefit the Chinese community in the Bay Area.
Huang Hao, who served for six and a half years at the office, reflected on his experiences during his term, expressing gratitude for the time spent working with the overseas Chinese community and colleagues, through various significant projects, APEC meetings, and hosting of numerous visiting delegations. He expressed his appreciation for the unwavering teamwork and collaboration, emphasizing the rare opportunity to work hand in hand with colleagues from different departments to accomplish diplomatic tasks. He extended his blessings to the overseas Chinese community and colleagues for a successful and fulfilling new year.
Hong Yuling stated that the greatest achievements and challenges during her six and a half years of service came from balancing work and family in a foreign land. Recalling the long hours and intense work during the APEC meetings, she expressed gratitude for the care and support of the overseas community and colleagues towards her family, which deeply touched her. She confessed that she would deeply miss the working environment and warmth of the people in San Francisco.
Qiu Yuxuan, who served for two years, briefly delivered a speech, thanking the superiors and colleagues for their guidance and care, expressing appreciation for the fruitful experience gained during her time in the United States, and promising to continue to work hard in Taiwan based on her knowledge.
The newly appointed Deputy Director Lin Meixiu shared her emotional attachment to San Francisco, where she served from 2008 to 2014, and her proactive decision to return to take on consular duties. She pledged to fulfill her responsibilities with the support of the overseas Chinese community, wishing the Director longevity in leadership and stable team development in a lighthearted manner.
Newly appointed Consul Wang Shujia shared her affinity with San Francisco and expressed her aspiration to continue learning under the guidance of her superiors. She hoped that the advanced overseas Chinese community would share more about the local culture and needs, promoting mutual support between the office and the community like family.
At the conclusion of the event, Wu Zhixiang presented blessing cards on behalf of the office, filled with words of encouragement and well-wishes from the colleagues, and a lucky draw was held. In addition to the three prizes prepared by the office, five Overseas Community Affairs Council members spontaneously added cash prizes, elevating the atmosphere to its peak, concluding the New Year’s farewell party with warmth and joy.