The Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in the San Francisco Bay Area held a welcome reception for Vice Chairman of the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission, Li Yanhui, on May 17th, along with the election of the new president and board of directors. Li Yanhui exchanged ideas with members of the association, encouraging the overseas community to unite, mobilize the younger generation, and collectively promote the development of the chamber to assist Taiwan in advancing internationally.
Among those present at the event were Chang Yashu, Director of the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center, Cui Jingqian, representative of the Overseas Chinese for the Centennial of the Republic of China, Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioners Wu Yiming, Lin Zhengyuan, Li Yuanlin, Chen Yangming, and many members of the chamber.
He Shuzhen, President of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in the San Francisco Bay Area, welcomed Li Yanhui and introduced the achievements of the chamber over the past year. She expressed that the chamber has long supported the Republic of China Taiwan, with many members of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, advisory members, consultants, and former presidents not only excelling in their respective fields but also dedicating themselves to public welfare and overseas Chinese community services.
He Shuzhen pointed out that since joining the chamber, she has deeply felt the active role of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in civilian diplomacy and international promotion. One of the essential tasks of the chamber is engaging in activities like the Washington “door-knocking tour” to introduce Taiwan to U.S. congress members and garner support, aiming to promote Taiwan on the global stage, which is the shared goal and responsibility of all members.
Li Yanhui remarked that during her recent visits to the Bay Area overseas Chinese community, she deeply felt the warmth, unity, and long-standing efforts of the Taiwan community. She gained a more concrete understanding of overseas Taiwanese who have contributed to speaking up, striving, and dedicating themselves to Taiwan over the years.
She pointed out that while Taiwan’s international performance in recent years has been widely recognized, it still faces many challenges, highlighting the continued need for overseas Chinese communities’ assistance. She believes that the Bay Area is full of creativity and vitality, particularly in technology, semiconductors, economic industries, and cultural soft power, all of which can be significant resources for Taiwan to expand its international influence.
Li Yanhui also mentioned that the Overseas Compatriot Commission has placed special emphasis in recent years on communication and online connections, aiming to strengthen real-time communication with the global overseas Chinese community through platforms like LINE@, Instagram, Facebook, and X, extending organizational strength from offline to online. She encouraged everyone to mobilize the younger generation to join the Overseas Compatriot Commission Love Taiwan Card and official social community platforms.
She emphasized that the commission’s efforts in diplomacy, economy, education, talent recruitment, and retention all require support from overseas Chinese communities. She hopes to gather more second and third-generation Taiwanese-Americans in the future, expanding community strength to assist Taiwan in its international advancement.
During the event, Cui Jingqian, representative for the Centennial of the Republic of China, generously donated $10,000, supporting the scholarship program of the Overseas Compatriot Commission through the chamber to help cultivate young talents, showing appreciation with applause.
Zhou Xuanmao, who will soon take office as the Youth Chamber President, also introduced the recent situation of the Youth Chamber to the attendees.
During the members’ speech session, member Huang Yuyun expressed that Taiwan is a democratic and free country, hoping that the overseas Taiwanese community will collectively safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, while also hoping that all groups supporting Taiwan can unite around Taiwan and draw a clear line against the Chinese Communist Party, allowing Taiwan’s democratic freedom to continue to thrive.
It was also introduced that Professor Lin Zhijie, a National Security Council advisory member, held a lecture on May 23rd (Saturday) at the North American Office of the Industrial Technology Research Institute to share Taiwan’s current national security challenges with the overseas Chinese community face to face.
The event concluded with the election of the new president and board of directors for the upcoming term, with members voting according to procedures to select the new team, laying the foundation for the future development of the association. ◇