The 2024 “West Coast Taiwanese American Summer Camp” returned to Los Angeles after a nine-year hiatus, with a three-day, two-night event held from July 12th to 14th at the DoubleTree Hotel in Rosemead and the Great Los Angeles Taiwan Center. In addition to engaging lectures and forums, this year saw the addition of a cultural and educational experience camp for Taiwanese American successors, catering to individuals of all ages within the Taiwanese American community to gain insights and experiences during the summer camp.
Chairman of the summer camp, Wu Zhao-feng, emphasized the theme of “investing in Taiwanese Americans and enhancing support for Taiwan.” The event invited 47 experts in various fields such as mental health, education, sports, and business to provide abundant knowledge and networking opportunities, highlighting the common goals between Taiwan and the United States in pursuing freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Dignitaries in attendance included U.S. Congress members Brad Sherman and Judy Chu, Torrance Mayor Chen Guang-hao, San Marino Mayor Huang Wen-gu, Yorba Linda City Councilor Huang Rui-ya, Alhambra School Board member Zhang Long-zheng, as well as representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Video messages from Taiwan were recorded by President Tsai Ing-wen, while U.S. Congress members Young Kim and Michelle Steel also offered their congratulations for the opening of the summer camp.
Commissioner Xu Jia-qing of the Overseas Community Affairs Council of the Republic of China, Director Chen Min-yong and Deputy Director Fang Qiong-yi of the Los Angeles Overseas Community Center, and Director Xiao Bei-ru of the Orange County Overseas Community Center were among the attendees. Xu Jia-qing, who had previously participated in Taiwanese American summer camp events in Philadelphia and Denver, expressed her delight in witnessing the younger generation of Taiwanese Americans in the western United States gradually enhancing Taiwan’s image in mainstream American society. She encouraged Taiwanese Americans to actively engage in public affairs and hoped to see more Taiwanese Americans entering politics to serve the Taiwanese American community and advocate for their voices.
In a video message, Congresswoman Judy Chu highlighted Taiwan not only as one of the United States’ top ten trading partners but also as an invaluable friend that has provided thousands of job opportunities for Americans. She is working towards promoting a comprehensive free trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan and urging the Senate to pass the “United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act,” aiming to address the issue of double taxation faced by Taiwanese and American companies conducting business in both regions.
Young Kim expressed gratitude towards the organizers for providing a platform that empowers Taiwanese Americans and strengthens U.S.-Taiwan relations. She pledged ongoing support for Taiwan to enhance the Taiwan-U.S. ally relationship, counter aggression, and establish a world based on freedom-centric values. She also highlighted the vibrant culture, thriving businesses, and democratic spirit of Taiwanese Americans as integral parts of American society.
Michelle Steel emphasized the significant presence of Taiwanese Americans in Southern California, underscoring their pivotal role in promoting cultural exchanges and friendship between Taiwan and the United States. She stressed the shared fundamental principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights between the U.S. and Taiwan and denounced recent military activities by the Chinese Communist Party against Taiwan, voicing her support for Taiwan and condemning the CCP’s aggression.
The summer camp featured a diverse and engaging program. On Saturday, the event kicked off with Miss Asia USA Zhang Fang-yu speaking on “The Most Beautiful Soft Power in Taiwanese American Diplomacy: The Taiwanese American Miss Pageant.” Over forty speakers addressed topics related to the Taiwanese American community, Taiwanese politics, and Taiwan-U.S. relations, including discussions on “Taiwan Club – Overseas Taiwanese e-Home,” “Transnational Repression by the CCP and its Influence on the Taiwanese American Community,” and “Keynote Speech on Taiwan-U.S. Relations,” fostering a deeper understanding of relevant issues among Taiwanese individuals in the Greater Los Angeles area and throughout the Western United States.
The event was jointly supported by various cooperating organizations, including the Taiwanese American Association USA (TAAUSA), Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA), North America Taiwanese Women’s Association (NATWA) Southern California Chapter, Taiwan United Fund (TUF), and the Southern California Taiwan Hakka Association.