On October 10th, the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the flag-raising ceremony held at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Manhattan’s Chinatown attracted spectators from various places. Among them were people who came specifically from Taiwan to New York, recent immigrants from the mainland, and Taiwanese residents in the United States. The sight of the national flag of Taiwan rising under the blue sky of New York stirred emotions, with some even shedding tears, emphasizing the preciousness of democracy and freedom and urging the appreciation and passing down of these values.
Ms. Zhao, a resident of New York, was born in Taiwan, her ancestors originally from Shandong Province in China before relocating to Taiwan. She mentioned that she doesn’t always have the opportunity to attend the flag-raising ceremony annually, and coming specifically for this occasion and seeing the flag of Taiwan waving in the New York skyline made her feel “extremely excited and warm”. She expressed hope for the enduring inheritance of Taiwan’s values of freedom.
Mr. Li, who hails from Nanjing, China, in his 80s, has been in the United States for a few months after holding a managerial position in a state-owned enterprise in mainland China. This marked his first time witnessing the National Day flag-raising ceremony, a moment where he felt a sense of belonging. He stated, “I have always considered the Republic of China as my homeland. Being able to participate in its birthday celebration today makes me feel very warm and emotional.”
Growing up, Mr. Li heard stories of his great-grandfather serving the Republic of China government before 1949, later moving to Taiwan with the national army, resulting in separation from his mainland family who he never met again until their passing. Visiting Taiwan later in life, he experienced the warmth of the community and the kindness of the people, contrasting starkly with the indifference on the mainland.
He believes that the values of freedom and democracy represented by the Republic of China are what he aspires to, and these universal rights inherited by Taiwan should be universal. Being in the U.S. now, he experiences and enjoys genuine freedom, especially as a Christian, possessing the religious freedom unavailable domestically.
“In the (Chinese) Communist country, the authorities would come and harass you from time to time,” Mr. Li disclosed. He plans to remain in the United States to savor the air of freedom, acknowledging that the land of his birth has been occupied, no longer his country but a conquered territory. He expresses that when it regains its democratic freedom, he would consider visiting.
Xu Jinghua, a Taiwan immigrant residing in Queens, missed the flag-raising ceremony in Flushing a few days earlier, expressing regret. She came today with a sense of duty, hoping for everyone to understand the significance of the flag of the Republic of China, aspiring for mainland China to one day achieve freedom, liberating people from the dictatorship of the Chinese Communist Party.
Regarding the significance of the national flag with a white sun in a blue sky and a field of red, Ms. Xu explained, “The sun represents light and truth, blue symbolizes the sky and freedom, and red signifies that freedom is attained through the sacrifice of people’s blood. Democracy and freedom are not free but earned through everyone’s efforts.”
“The Republic of China with a white sun, blue sky, and red earth, was established by countless pioneers who shed their blood and sweat. I cherish all of this deeply and hope that one day China can enjoy democracy, rule of law, human rights, peaceful coexistence among people, equality between races.”
Living in the U.S. for many years, Xu Jinghua has made friends from the mainland and believes that changes are urgently needed in China’s current situation. On October 10th at the flag-raising ceremony, she sang the national anthem of the Republic of China, visibly emotional and tearful, stating, “This moment has awakened my innermost desire. I hope that China (mainland) can also become a place with democracy, freedom, human rights, rule of law, equality, and religious freedom. I hope to drive away the demon of the Chinese Communist Party persecuting China (the people). This is the reason I am here today.”