On Saturday, October 4th, under the clear autumn sky, the Taiwan community in the Greater New York area gathered at P.S. 20 in Queens for a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 114th birthday of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 2025.
After lively performances by drum corps, lion dance, and traditional singers singing both the American national anthem and the national anthem of the Republic of China, attendees of all ages solemnly raised the flag of Taiwan, symbolizing the unity and pride of the community under the blue sky.
The Chairman of the “114th National Day Celebration Committee” and Overseas Community Affairs Council advisor, Wang Jinzhi, delivered a speech at the event, introducing this year’s theme as “United in Love for Taiwan, Creating a New Future Together.”
“This is the 114th National Day flag-raising ceremony, the birthday of the Republic of China for 114 years. We are joyful and united, we love Taiwan, we love the Republic of China,” Wang stated.
During his speech, Chairman Wang proudly listed a series of numbers to showcase Taiwan’s strong economic prowess: Taiwan maintains a trade surplus of over 70 billion USD with both the United States and mainland China, primarily exporting high-tech electronic products. Taiwan ranks 55th in the world’s economy and boasts the 22nd highest GDP globally with a per capita GDP ranking 12th in the world.
“These figures from the International Monetary Fund prove that Taiwan is indeed an important economic power in the world.”
Despite Taiwan’s small size with a population of just over 23 million, Chairman Wang attributed the country’s standing among economic powers to “Taiwan’s democratization and decades of relentless pursuit of democracy and freedom.”
“We have finally become a model of democracy and freedom in the world. People rule, human rights prevail, freedom of speech leads to political stability, economic development, and social progress in Taiwan,” Wang Jinzhi said. “We are confident that Taiwan will grow stronger! Taiwan, keep going! Long live the Republic of China!”
The atmosphere was impassioned, with overseas Taiwanese spontaneously chanting slogans at the event.
Dignitaries including Consul General Lee Chiqiang, Director Wang Yiru of the New York Overseas Chinese Education Center, representatives from the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, and New York State Senators and Congressional Representatives attended the solemn flag-raising ceremony.
Consul General Lee Chiqiang expressed to Epoch Times after the event that this was his second time participating in the flag-raising ceremony in Queens, and he was still deeply moved.
“What is most touching overseas is when everyone sings the national anthem together and sees the flag. I am deeply moved because, after all, we are in the United States where the flag and anthem are everywhere. So, having the opportunity to sing the national anthem of the Republic of China together, I believe, must be heartwarming for Chinese people,” he said.
Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission member Zhu Yuemei stated that the National Day celebrations are the grandest holiday for overseas Taiwanese, with sixty to seventy overseas Chinese communities in the Greater New York area coming together to support the Republic of China and pass down the beautiful Chinese culture to the next generation.
Many mainland Chinese citizens also attended the event, and Consul General Lee Chiqiang extended a warm welcome to them.
“The biggest difference between the two sides is politics. The Republic of China (Taiwan) is democratic, while the mainland is under a communist system with different institutions. In a democratic society, everyone can enjoy equality and freedom, can elect their own leaders, which I feel is the most precious,” Consul General Lee stated. “I think that in this occasion, as long as one recognizes and supports the Republic of China, we welcome their participation.”
Mr. Deng, a mainland Chinese immigrant, specifically attended the National Day celebration of the Republic of China. He stated that the common people in China are oppressed by the Communist Party and are suffering from hunger. In comparison, as Chinese people, democracy and freedom in Taiwan are the true home for the Chinese people.
“The Republic of China was founded in 1911, while the so-called ‘People’s Republic of China’ led by the Communist Party was established in 1949. It is clear that the Republic of China has a longer and more legitimate history,” he said. “While we on the mainland often talk about ‘celebrating the motherland,’ our motherland cannot possibly be the regime claimed by the Communist Party. They usurped power and claimed themselves to be legitimate, which I believe is wrong.”
Mr. Deng expressed that many Chinese people have been misled by the Communist Party to celebrate “National Day” on October 1st, which he argues is a distortion of history.
“This cannot be blamed on the mainland people, as the Communist Party controls education and restricts freedom of speech. Before I crossed over, I was brainwashed as well. This is not the fault of the people on our side. However, I believe that any Chinese person who knows the truth and has a conscience will agree with me that the Republic of China is our motherland.”
Another mainland Chinese attendee named Xiao Sun expressed, “This is the national day for all Chinese people.”
“The first of October is a day of national mourning, the darkest day where history is distorted, a day of suffering for us Chinese,” he explained. “The National Day of the Republic of China is the true national day for the Chinese people, the legitimate national day for all the sons and daughters of China. That is why I must be present to celebrate today.”
Mrs. Wang, who focuses on caring for the veterans back home, attended the event as well. She mentioned a large group in the country known as the “Republic of China faction.” They have that name because they have come to know the truth about the Anti-Japanese War, where the Republic of China’s army defeated the Japanese invaders.
“The veterans telling us the true history left us astonished. It completely overturned our understanding. It turns out that the Chinese Resistance War was fought this way, with the scars left after the victory of the Republic of China in the war, the sacrifices made, and the treasures exhausted. The Communist Party took advantage of this and stole the country…”
“Our ultimate goal, as part of the ‘Republic of China faction,’ is to hope that the freedom and democracy of Taiwan can also return to the mainland so that the people on the mainland can enjoy the same democracy and freedom as the people of Taiwan,” said Mrs. Wang.
Following the flag-raising ceremony, the celebrants returned indoors to watch various community representatives report on their goals and achievements, followed by performances of artistic programs. Songs such as “Ode to the Chinese Nation,” “Plum Blossoms,” as well as campus songs from Taiwan filled the air. Finally, people gathered to enjoy Taiwanese cuisine together.
The celebration in Queens marked the beginning of the National Day festivities, with upcoming events in New Jersey and a National Day parade on October 10th in Chinatown.