At the Houston Consulate and Overseas Chinese Education Center, with the support of the consulate and the overseas Chinese community, all honorary consular personnel in Houston held the “Celebration of the Inauguration of the 16th President and Vice President of the Republic of China, Taiwan” concert on Saturday, May 18th at 2 p.m. in the grand hall of the Overseas Chinese Education Center. Over 300 overseas Chinese and friends who support Taiwan but could not attend the ceremony in Taiwan gathered to celebrate together.
The concert kicked off with speeches by President Lai Ching-te and Overseas Chinese Affairs Commissioner Hsu Chia-ching played through video recordings. Director of the consulate office, Xiao Yifang, expressed gratitude to the honorary consular personnel and Taiwanese associations for months of organization, successfully hosting the celebration concert for the 16th President of the Republic of China, Taiwan. It was a resonant, warm, and intimate event for the people.
Xiao Yifang stated, “Taiwan is the first democratic republic in East Asia. From our first direct presidential election in the 1990s to the 16th presidential election held this year, Taiwan has reached this point through the collective effort of the people and the government. Taiwan deeply experiences the value of democracy, lays a solid foundation, and continues to move forward on the path of liberal democracy.”
In 2023, The Economist published the global Democracy Index, with Taiwan ranking 10th globally and first in Asia. Recently, CEOWORLD magazine ranked Taiwan as the world’s top in the 2024 global “Healthcare System” evaluation. Taiwan also ranks top ten in the “Press Freedom Index” among 180 countries. Despite experiencing earthquakes and typhoons, Taiwan has learned lessons through hardships, becoming more resilient, democratic, inclusive, and diverse.
The concert featured a diverse range of performances spanning generations, from classical to pop and rock music. There were songs that were banned during martial law, as well as popular music after martial law was lifted, classical music that soothes the soul, and rock music that ignites passion. The show depicted Taiwan’s 400-year history, its inclusive nature as a maritime nation, and the continued courage to progress and never give up after democratization.
First up was the AYA Trio: Huang Shiting, Wu Qingfang, Chen Yiling, and Lin Weiyang from New York combining erhu performances with pieces like “Formosa Trio,” “Sound of Rain,” and “Four Seasons Red.” The Taiwan Voice Chorus, conducted by Wang Peijun, performed under the leadership of the choir director, Song Mingxiu, singing “Spring Breeze Kisses My Face,” “Season’s Wind,” and a vocal solo by Wang Peijun. Zhang Cixi performed on the flute, and Wang Qinglong sang solo. The “Golden Voice Chorus” formed by Jincheng Bank, under the baton of Vice Chairman Yang Minggeng and led by choir director Zhou Zitan, invited everyone to sing “Tomorrow Will Be Better” together. Closing the show was the East Wind Band, led by band leader Richard Tsai, drummer Shawn Xiao, guitarist Aric Wang, Alfred Tan, bassist and vocalist, and keyboardist Su Chenwei, delivering a lively rock performance that got the entire audience excited.
There were life-size statues of the President and Vice President at the event venue, and overseas Chinese lined up to take photos, making the atmosphere feel like being present at the inauguration ceremony. After the event, the organizers presented each participant with a commemorative souvenir.