Transcripted from Epoch Times on September 11, 2026:
“One photo after another reminds people of how young they used to be; the voices calling out to loved ones break my heart,” said 83-year-old Shi Yi Zhen as she stood in front of the venue, reciting the poem she wrote for “9/11”. Twenty-five years ago, she witnessed the World Trade Center towers burning and the second plane crashing into the building from her Manhattan office window. Twenty-five years later, as historical images unfold once again, the disaster that changed New York is still an indelible memory for many survivors.
The Chinese-American Hotel Association in the United States held a “9/11” 25th-anniversary commemoration event and photo exhibition in Manhattan’s Chinatown on the 10th of September. They collaborated with the office of Councilman Mathew in the first district of New York City to commemorate the victims, honor the first responders, and hoped to pass on this piece of history to the younger generation who did not live through 9/11.
Chairman of the Chinese-American Hotel Association, Chen Leying, said, “We will never forget that day. We should also remember those heroes forever.”
On the morning of “9/11”, Mathew, who was a seventh-grade student at the time, saw the second plane flying towards the World Trade Center from the rooftop with his teacher. Both his mother and father worked near the World Trade Center, which made him particularly worried.
As the generation that experienced “9/11” ages, Mathew emphasized the importance of preserving collective memories. The impact of “9/11” did not end with the collapse of the towers, as many rescue workers, medical personnel, and residents continue to suffer from related health issues.
Mathew believes that educating the next generation should not only focus on the tragedy but also highlight how New Yorkers supported each other and rebuilt together after the disaster.
Huang Huaying, the founding chairman of the Chinese-American Hotel Association, first volunteered for the Red Cross after the terrorist attacks. He later worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for about five months, assisting disaster-affected residents and businesses. Many years later, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.
“When I found out I had pulmonary fibrosis, I was really nervous and scared,” he said. But he has no regrets, “As Chinese Americans, we should do what we can for this country.”
Huang Huaying also expressed concern about the long-term impact of “9/11” on the economy of Chinatown. He pointed out that Park Row was restricted to general vehicle traffic for a long time after the terrorist attacks, affecting the flow of people, tourism, and small businesses in Chinatown.
“Chinatown needs to be connected for development opportunities,” he said. “We need to prosper our community and businesses by preserving Chinatown. If we don’t, we might lose it.”
Huang Xueli, Executive Director of the Charity Foundation of the Asian American Doctors Association, recalled that on “9/11”, she was on the subway heading to work in Lower Manhattan when she saw smoke rising from the twin towers. When the subway service was disrupted, she got off at Brooklyn Heights and looked towards Manhattan across the East River. Soon, she saw a large number of people evacuating from the Brooklyn Bridge covered in dust and debris.
Due to the suspension of public transportation, she had to walk for hours to get back home. “Everyone felt like it was the end of the world,” she said. Twenty-five years later, looking back at the photos from that day, she still couldn’t hide her sadness: “It’s a painful memory deeply engraved in our hearts as New Yorkers.”
She also remembered how quickly the Chinese community mobilized assistance after the disaster, with businesses sending water and food to the rescue workers, volunteers helping those in need, and medical personnel working tirelessly to treat the injured.
“I hope such a thing never happens again,” Huang Xueli said. “I hope for peace in the world, for everyone’s well-being, and for a world free from disasters.”