The 47th annual meeting of the All-American Taiwan Association was held in Foster City, California, part of the San Francisco Bay Area, from August 15th to 17th. The three-day event included the transfer of the presidency, speeches, discussions, and a grand banquet, attracting Taiwanese expatriates from across North America to come together in a lively atmosphere.
The annual meeting was organized by the Director of the Annual Meeting Committee, Liu Baogang, and the President of the Taiwan Association in San Francisco, Chen Zongyi, under the theme of “Reforming Congress, Strengthening Local Communities.” Approximately 250 attendees, including representatives of 26 branch chapters from across the United States, Bay Area dignitaries, community leaders, and business professionals participated in the event.
The banquet was hosted by He Taiguang. During his speech, Liu Baogang mentioned the challenges faced during the preparation process. Originally, several Taiwanese political figures were invited, but due to recent political events in Taiwan, they were unable to attend. Instead, Legislator Wu Zongxian made a special appearance and delivered a keynote speech. Liu Baogang also expressed his emotions, highlighting his perseverance despite undergoing surgery for health reasons, and finding it all worthwhile to see fellow compatriots coming together.
Outgoing President Huang Xiumei (from New Jersey) reflected on her achievements during her year in office. She pointed out the recent recall vote in Taiwan as a demonstration of the challenges faced by a democratic society. She urged everyone to continue defending the core values of democracy, opposing bullying, ensuring diverse voices, and collectively upholding freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.
KMT Representative to the United States, Chin Jixin, highly praised the efforts of the Taiwan Association, acknowledging its significant role in facilitating visits of Taiwanese political figures to the U.S. and uniting overseas Taiwanese communities over the years. He emphasized that despite being far from Taiwan, overseas compatriots are deeply connected to Taiwan, displaying patriotism and support for the Republic of China.
Legislator Wu Zongxian expressed his hope to see a change of government in 2028, emphasizing the need for a stable living environment rather than internal conflicts. He also shared his sense of warmth and familiarity during interactions with overseas Taiwanese, attributing it to the transparency of information through the internet, allowing everyone to stay informed about the situation in Taiwan in real-time, bridging any distance between each other.
Following Wu Zongxian’s speech, a ceremony for the transition of the presidency took place, with former President Fan Yangsheng handing over the responsibility to Qin Jixin, who then passed it on to the newly appointed President Zhang Jinjuan (from Houston). Zhang Jinjuan received the official seal from Huang Xiumei and was adorned with a large red sash symbolizing her new role.
In her address, Zhang Jinjuan expressed her gratitude and acknowledged the significant responsibility of assuming the presidency. She pledged to uphold the core values of “Inheritance, Unity, and Innovation,” continuing traditions, promoting Taiwanese culture, uniting the strength of her compatriots, and incorporating technology and new activities to attract participation from the younger generation. She also emphasized enhancing collaboration with the overseas Taiwanese community and mainstream American society to advocate for Taiwan, seeking more resources and support.
The evening’s art and cultural performances, including dance, solo singing, karaoke, and a dance party, culminated in a grand finale with a group rendition of the “Ode to the Republic of China,” bringing the three-day annual meeting to a perfect close.