In the Bay Area, on the evening of May 17th (last Sunday), a grand banquet was held to welcome Vice Chairman Li Yen-hui of the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission on her first visit to the Bay Area. Taiwan’s representative in San Francisco, Wu Zhixiang, and the director of the South Bay Overseas Compatriot Education Center, Zhuang Yashu, were in attendance. Representing overseas Chinese for the 100th founding anniversary of the Republic of China, Cui Jingqian, and nearly 300 representatives from various Bay Area Chinese community organizations gathered together, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
The banquet was jointly organized by 7 overseas Chinese affairs commissioners in the Bay Area and chaired by Lin Zhengyuan from the preparation committee. During the event, commissioner Liu Lingxia introduced Li Yen-hui’s background. Wei Dezhen, representing the Bay Area Chinese community, welcomed Vice Chairman Li Yen-hui on behalf of the community, thanking the Commission for its long-standing support of overseas compatriot affairs and expressing a warm welcome on behalf of the Bay Area compatriots.
Wei Dezhen emphasized that the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission has always been the most steadfast support for overseas compatriots. The evening was not only a welcoming banquet but also an important moment to unite the compatriots. She expressed her hope for continued unity in the Bay Area Chinese community to jointly promote overseas compatriot affairs and strive for the future of the Republic of China Taiwan. Wu Zhixiang also expressed his hope for continued collective effort in the overseas Chinese community to make Taiwan more visible in the United States and gain more support in the international community.
During her speech, Li Yen-hui extended her greetings to the distinguished guests present and specially thanked Cui Jingqian, who was awarded the First Class Huaguang Medal, for supporting scholarship awards. She mentioned that it was her first visit to the Bay Area in San Francisco and felt honored to meet so many overseas Taiwanese compatriots in a short period of time. She noted the vibrant activities in the Bay Area Chinese community covering various fields such as overseas Chinese businesses, schools, cultural and educational exchanges, as well as activities involving overseas Chinese youth and second and third generations, showcasing diversity, creativity, and vitality, leaving her hopeful for Taiwan’s external exchanges.
Using the term “Taiwan Sensibility,” she described the influence of overseas compatriots, highlighting the efforts, contributions, and achievements made by compatriots abroad over the years as an important force in showcasing Taiwan to the world.
Li Yen-hui also mentioned Taiwan’s remarkable performance in recent years in the economy, technology, and international positioning, making it an important focus of attention and cooperation in the international community. She hoped that overseas compatriots and the younger generation would continue to play a vital role as a bridge connecting Taiwan to the world, enabling Taiwan to have a greater impact on the international stage.
During the event, the 7 overseas Chinese affairs commissioners presented Vice Chairman Li Yen-hui with exquisite commemorative gifts on behalf of all the overseas compatriots, expressing the warm welcome and blessings of the Bay Area Chinese community. Subsequently, the attending Chinese community organizations and guests were introduced, demonstrating the diverse and united strength of the Bay Area Chinese society.