Taipei City Mayor James Chiang, leading a delegation from the city government and city council, visited the New York Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association on the afternoon of September 6. This marked his first official visit to the United States since taking office. Apart from engaging in urban governance exchanges, Mayor Chiang also met with key overseas Chinese organizations in New York City’s Chinatown. He emphasized that New York City holds significant global influence and is a historical hub where Taiwanese compatriots have long been rooted.
In the evening of the same day, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Eastern U.S. chapters, including the New York and Long Island branches, held a welcoming banquet at the Happy Luck Restaurant in Chinatown to greet Mayor Chiang. The banquet, attended by nearly 400 people filling 40 tables, demonstrated his high popularity among overseas Taiwanese.
Mayor Chiang’s first stop in the United States during his visit was New York City. After arriving in New York on the 4th, he engaged in a series of urban governance exchanges. He visited the New York City Department of City Planning to discuss economic housing policies to address housing shortages in New York, and also toured Times Square with the reception and guidance of the New York City Department of Transportation to understand public spaces and how to enhance safety and utilization of open spaces. He gained insightful experiences in public policies which could greatly inspire Taipei City’s future development.
On the afternoon of the 6th, Taiwanese compatriots raised a banner at the entrance of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, welcoming Mayor James Chiang’s visit to New York. The association’s Chairman, Zhu Chaoran, arranged a lively lion and dragon dance to warmly welcome Mayor Chiang, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Mayor Chiang mentioned that the New York Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association was established in 1883 and has a history of over 140 years. He highlighted the special connection between the association and Taipei City, as Taipei City was established the following year in 1884. This year marks the 140th anniversary of Taipei City’s founding, adding significant historical significance. In 1894, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China, gathered patriotic youth to form the Xingzhonghui (Revive China Society), taking an oath to restore China and establish a republican government. In 1896, Dr. Sun Yat-sen arrived in New York, where he began drafting the Five-Power Constitution and integrating China’s traditional “people-oriented” ideology with Western political systems.
“Without the contributions of overseas Chinese and overseas Chinese communities, there would not have been the successful revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, nor would there be the Republic of China we know today. That’s why today’s visit holds deep significance,” Mayor Chiang expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the overseas Chinese community for their heritage and contributions.
Mayor Chiang also reflected on his deep personal connection with New York, as his wife had studied in the city, and he successfully proposed to her in New York, eventually building a happy family. He looks forward to revisiting New York with his family in the future to further strengthen ties with the local overseas Chinese community.
Following his visit to Columbus Park to pay tribute to the statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Mayor Chiang proceeded to the banquet venue. During the banquet, Mayor Chiang expressed his gratitude to the overseas Chinese community and mentioned that this year’s National Day celebration will be held at Taipei’s Taipei Dome, inviting all overseas compatriots to return to Taipei to celebrate. The overseas Chinese community warmly welcomed Mayor Chiang, with the venue filled with applause and laughter, creating a harmonious atmosphere.