On July 14, the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in the San Francisco Bay Area held a ceremony in Santa Clara for the handover of the presidency and the swearing-in of the executive officers. Zhou Weiyu officially took over as the new president, succeeding Zhang Jiazhou. Hong Shujun was appointed the first vice president, and Yang Yaohong became the second vice president.
The ceremony attracted over 100 guests, including the Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco Lai Mingqi and his wife Yun Wenzhen, Director Zhuang Yashu of the San Francisco Bay Area Overseas Chinese Education Center, Economic Division Chief Chen Ailan, Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioners Li Hanwen, Li Wenxiong and their wives, Wei Dezhen, Wu Yiming and his wife, Lin Zhengyuan and his wife, Overseas Chinese Affairs Advisory Commissioner Lu Yuzhen, Honorary President of the North America Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Union Chen Guangbo and his wife, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the North America Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Union Wang Shiyin and his wife, Honorary President of the World Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Lin Gui Xiang and her husband, and many other prominent leaders in the overseas Chinese community.
Outgoing President Zhang Jiazhou, witnessed by Director Lai Mingqi and Director Zhuang Yashu, passed on the official seal to the new president Zhou Weiyu. Subsequently, Director Zhuang read a letter of appreciation from Xu Jiaqing, Chairperson of the Overseas Community Affairs Council of the Republic of China, to Zhang Jiazhou, as well as a congratulatory letter to Zhou Weiyu.
Zhang Jiazhou expressed his appreciation for the support and assistance he received during his tenure as president. He emphasized that he has learned that growth is not restricted by age and that each stage of life presents opportunities for personal development. He commended the new president as a promising young leader who is actively engaged in chamber affairs, expressing his belief in Zhou’s ability to successfully lead the organization.
Director Lai Mingqi expressed gratitude for the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in the Bay Area’s longstanding efforts to promote public diplomacy, enhance the social image and status of Taiwanese people in the United States. He specifically thanked President Zhang for his enthusiastic participation in advancing chamber affairs and his significant contributions to the chamber and the overseas Chinese community.
Director Lai congratulated Zhou Weiyu on becoming the new president, praising his youth, experience, honesty, and the essential qualities of diligence, a sense of duty, and service dedication required for the role of president.
Director Zhuang Yashu remarked on the Chamber’s role in uniting Taiwanese business owners, fostering business opportunities, and strengthening economic and trade exchanges between Taiwan and the United States. She extended her congratulations to the new president Zhou Weiyu, noting his promising youth and genuine and approachable demeanor, expressing her confidence in his ability to continue guiding the chamber’s development.
The newly appointed President Zhou Weiyu stated that his goal in assuming the presidency is to build upon the past achievements. He intends to uphold the chamber’s traditions, continue organizing Thanksgiving charity dinners, and invite distinguished speakers to participate in annual meetings.
Furthermore, he plans to promote the development of a youth chamber of commerce, support the growth of young members, listen to their suggestions, and revamp the chamber’s website. He believes that with the collective efforts of the two promising vice presidents and all members, the chamber will continue to thrive and achieve new successes.
Subsequently, the new board of directors was sworn in, with Honorary President of the Northern California Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Union, Chen Guangbo presiding over the oath-taking ceremony.