The Director of the Taiwan Representative Office in San Francisco, Lai Ming-chi, has been promoted and will return to Taiwan to take up the position of Deputy Director of the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Accompanied by his wife, they departed for Taiwan on June 20 (last Friday), with dozens of overseas compatriot representatives gathering at San Francisco International Airport to offer warm wishes and bid farewell with reluctance.
Lai Ming-chi has served in the San Francisco Bay Area since August 2020, almost five years of service. During his tenure, he participated in over two thousand overseas compatriot community events and successfully completed the purchase and establishment of the Taiwan Representative Office building, leaving a warm home for the compatriots in the Bay Area.
On the day of his departure, nearly seventy overseas compatriot representatives gathered to see him off, creating a heartwarming and touching scene. Attendees included Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission members Wei De-zhen, Lin Zheng-yuan, Wu Yi-ming, Chen Yang-ming, Li Yuan-lin, Zhang Zheng-bang, Liu Ling-xia, as well as colleagues from the San Francisco Representative Office. Members from various overseas compatriot organizations also participated.
People raised banners representing the overseas compatriot community, lined up awaiting the arrival of Lai Ming-chi and his wife, taking photos together, shaking hands, and exchanging pleasantries, creating a lively and moving atmosphere. Compatriots presented floral garlands and well-wishes, with chants of “Director, keep it up, your wife loves you” echoing in the airport. Everyone even sang “Pingju” together, expressing their deep fondness, with some compatriots wiping away tears incessantly.
During a media interview, Lai Ming-chi expressed gratitude for the support and care from compatriots over the years, saying, “Today’s scene really touched both of us. We sincerely make friends and feel the genuine response from the compatriot community. This friendship will last a lifetime.” He encouraged everyone to continue their involvement in community service, promising, “See you in Taipei!”
Zhuang Ya-shu, Director of the Southern Bay Area Overseas Chinese Education Center, also praised Director Lai for being amiable, approachable, and well-loved by the overseas compatriot community. His nearly five years of service have left an unforgettable impression. She wished Director Lai a smooth promotion and hoped he would always remember the friendship and support from the San Francisco overseas compatriot community.
Finally, amidst the tearful gazes of the crowd, Lai Ming-chi and his wife entered the waiting lounge.
The overseas compatriot organizations present that day included the Northern California Taiwanese Association, Northern California Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco Bay Area Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, Northern California Chinese School Association, Northern California University Alumni Association, San Francisco Taiwanese Association, Bay Area Taiwanese-American Billiards Association, Emergency Relief Cupertino Branch, American San Jose International Outstanding People Association, Northern California Mid-Peninsula Taiwanese Association, Silicon Valley Taiwanese Association, Northern California National Taiwan University Alumni Association, as well as the Chinese-American Association, National Day Committee, and Confucius Memorial Committee. ◇