The Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee meeting of the Republic of China in 113 years will be held in Taipei from September 10 to September 13, 2024. In order to gather relevant opinions and consolidate consensus among overseas Chinese communities, the “Preparatory Seminar for the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee Meeting in 113” was held at the Overseas Chinese Education Center in Atlanta on June 15 (Saturday) from 2 pm to 4 pm. Honorary members of the overseas Chinese affairs committee, leaders of overseas Chinese organizations, principals of Chinese schools, distinguished figures in the overseas Chinese community, and youth representatives from the jurisdiction were invited to participate in the discussion on the “Central Issues and Discussion Agenda of the 113th Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee Meeting”.
The central theme of the overseas Chinese affairs committee meeting is the increasing military and economic threats Taiwan faces from the Chinese Communist Party in recent years, amidst rapidly changing international situations. These threats have garnered widespread attention from the international community. Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party continues to engage in united front work within the overseas Chinese community through various means, particularly by disseminating misleading information via social media. The challenge of preventing such cognitive warfare is urgent, as false information could lead to distorted perceptions of Taiwan in the international community and erode the long-established values of freedom and democracy. Hence, it is imperative to establish a robust, resilient, and secure network of services for overseas Chinese nationals to counteract such cognitive operations. At the same time, leveraging Taiwan’s advantages to garner international and overseas Chinese support, promptly responding to various types of threats, defending Taiwan’s international space, and safeguarding the rights and safety of overseas Chinese are crucial.
Director Ouyang Hongwei of the Overseas Education Center elaborated on the theme of overseas cooperation in anti-unification and unity in safeguarding Taiwan, providing explanations from aspects such as overseas Chinese contacts, overseas education policies, and services for overseas Chinese businesses. He hoped that advanced members of the overseas Chinese community would offer their insights and ideas. As is well known, Taiwan’s image of freedom and democracy has been deeply ingrained and appreciated by people worldwide. Safeguarding this hard-earned freedom requires consensus and correct perceptions within the overseas and domestic communities. The recognition of false information in Taiwan and ways to better uphold the core democratic values of Taiwan have not only prompted increasing thoughts among more people and overseas Chinese who care about Taiwan but also represent authentic choices from people’s inner selves.
During the seminar, Director Ouyang also presented letters of appointment on behalf of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee to members of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, Overseas Chinese Affairs Advisory Committee, Overseas Chinese Affairs Promotion Committee, and Overseas Chinese Affairs Consultants. The members of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee include Chen Kecheng, Fan Qijun, Zhang Songxuan, and Lu Futai. The members of the Advisory Committee are Huang Meimei, Li Benquan, Lu Zhiquan, Jiang Zhenghong, Wang Xiangrui, and He Zhida. The members of the Promotion Committee are Wei Yachun, Xiao Bai’en, and Shen Yuping. The consultants are Dai Nianhua.
Various representatives, including honorary members of the overseas Chinese affairs committee, leaders of overseas Chinese organizations, principals of Chinese schools, distinguished figures in the overseas Chinese community, and youth representatives from different sectors, actively participated in the seminar by expressing their opinions, suggestions, and proposing recommendations ranging from international relations to overseas Chinese affairs. Members of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, Chen Kecheng, Fan Qijun, Zhang Songxuan, and Lu Futai, earnestly listened to the suggestions and prepared thoroughly for their participation in the upcoming meeting in Taipei this autumn.