On the morning of April 11 at 11 a.m., the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in San Francisco held the inauguration ceremony for its staff members for the year 2026, with guests from all walks of life gathering to witness the ushering in of the new team.
At the beginning of the ceremony, outgoing director Chen Xiayi delivered a speech and reported on the affairs of the hall. Chen expressed gratitude for the trust and support of the board of directors, as well as the guidance of all directors and staff. She acknowledged the smooth operation of the hall through teamwork and cooperation, extending her sincere thanks.
Reflecting on her tenure, Chen pointed out that over the years, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall has received various dignitaries from the Republic of China government, including legislators, overseas Chinese associations, as well as presidents of institutions like Fu Hsing Kang College, as well as figures such as the chairman and vice-chairman of the Chinese Nationalist Party. The hall has also welcomed academic and artistic groups from Singapore, Taiwan, and mainland China for visits, exchanges, historical research, and academic discussions.
After years of operation and adjustments, the functions of the memorial hall have gradually expanded from a single historical exhibition space to a diverse platform with community service functions, offering venues for various groups to hold conferences, academic activities, seminars, art exhibitions, and concerts. Over the past six years, the hall has hosted over a hundred visits and events, remaining open for visits five days a week and accepting group reservations. Chen expressed her hope that the new director will lead the team to new heights in the future.
Subsequently, Wu Zhixiang, the Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, delivered a speech, quoting Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s statement that “overseas Chinese are the mothers of revolution,” highlighting his lofty ideals and steadfast spirit for the nation and the people, which continue to inspire future generations to bear the responsibility of national rejuvenation.
Wu Zhixiang pointed out that the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, with the aim of serving overseas Chinese, has long promoted activities such as sports, counseling, recreation, gradually shaping the four major areas of “public welfare, education, service, and health.” Despite changing times, the initial intention of serving the community and overseas Chinese has remained unchanged, with expectations of deepening community connections through diverse activities to enhance social stability, expressing gratitude for the efforts of Director Chen Xiayi and all staff.
In her speech, outgoing Chairperson Zhong Weijun stated that the smooth operation of the memorial hall depended on the support and assistance of the former directors, board members, staff, and various overseas Chinese organizations, which is truly commendable. She emphasized the educational significance of the exhibitions in the hall, tracing the historical roots of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the Chinese in America, highlighting San Francisco as an important base for Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary activities. By reviewing the hardships of the early Chinese pioneers, there should be a greater appreciation for current democratic achievements and to continue to improve service quality in line with societal development needs, following the example of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s integrity.
The new director, Yang Kunshan, stated in his address that the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in San Francisco shoulders the mission of promoting historical education and should actively guide overseas Chinese youth to understand history, cultivate social ethics, and promote diverse cultural and academic development. He emphasized that the memorial hall will continue to enhance service quality in line with the pulse of the times, deepening public recognition and affirmation of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s spirit. Yang expressed his gratitude for being entrusted with this important task by the board of directors and vowed to provide more comprehensive services to the community in the future.
The new leadership team for the term was also announced, including Director Yang Kunshan, Chairperson Yu Aizhen, Vice Chairperson Zhang Renrui, Honorary Chairpersons Zhao Chuansan, Zhong Weijun, Chen Bohao, and nineteen board members. The newly appointed staff members took their oaths during the ceremony, overseen by Director Wu Zhixiang. The entire ceremony concluded successfully in a warm atmosphere.