Taiwan’s San Francisco office and the Bay Area Overseas Chinese Education Center held the “Celebration of the 114th New Year of the Republic of China in the Bay Area and the Joint Spring Festival Gala” on February 2nd (last Sunday) in the South Bay, attracting nearly five hundred overseas Chinese to gather together to welcome the Year of the Golden Snake.
The venue was decorated brightly with lanterns and festive decorations; the lively sounds of drums and gongs marked the beginning of the Spring Festival celebration. Xu Jiaqing, the chairperson of the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission, extended Lunar New Year greetings to overseas Chinese through a video. She mentioned Taiwan’s outstanding performance in the international economic, technological, and political arenas over the past year, especially winning the World Baseball Classic, which stirred the passion of Taiwanese people around the globe.
Xu emphasized that no matter where overseas Chinese are, they can showcase the spirit of “Taiwan Still Brave, Team Taiwan” to the world. The Commission will uphold the core principle of “Move to Next Generation” to continue providing the best services to overseas Chinese and extend Lunar New Year blessings to all overseas Chinese friends who work hard and love the Republic of China, Taiwan.
Director Lai Mingqi, in his speech, reviewed the consular work of the Taiwan Office in San Francisco over the past year and introduced the new office building, which has been officially put into use to provide higher quality services to overseas Chinese in the consular hall. He promised to do his best to provide consular services to overseas Chinese in the future. He thanked the Bay Area Overseas Chinese community for their long-standing support for the office and cultural center in promoting overseas Chinese affairs and took this opportunity to celebrate the Lunar New Year and exchange blessings with everyone.
Center Director Zhuang Yashu stated that the overseas Chinese community has always been an important force and pillar for promoting overseas Chinese affairs. She expressed gratitude for everyone’s long-term support and assistance to the Commission and the Education Center, enabling Taiwan to continue shining on the international stage. On behalf of the Commission and the Education Center, she sincerely thanked and blessed every friend in attendance.
Following the speeches, the FASCA overseas youth cultural volunteers performed a lively Lion Dance, adding to the festive atmosphere. Subsequently, led by the lion, Director Lai Mingqi, his wife Yun Wenzhen, Director Zhuang Yashu, various overseas Chinese committee members, and the heads of various office departments approached the banquet table to serve dishes to the attending overseas Chinese, thanking them for their support and contributions over the past year.
The stage that day was exceptionally lively, with Director Lai’s wife, Yun Wenzhen, singing “Flying Higher and Higher” and “Written on the Stars.” There were also performances such as FASCA’s indigenous dance, Hakka Tea Garden Dance, children’s New Year dance, and more. The event culminated in everyone joining in the energetic dance “Taiwan Still Brave,” reaching a climax in the atmosphere.
The gathering concluded with a heartfelt Lunar New Year chorus led by Director Lai Mingqi, his wife Yun Wenzhen, Director Zhuang Yashu, and various overseas Chinese committee members.