On February 8th, the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in the San Francisco Bay Area celebrated its 30th anniversary with a Lunar New Year gala in Union City. The event attracted nearly 250 representatives from the overseas Taiwanese community, business leaders, elected officials, and local mayors.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were Lai Ming-Chi, the Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco; Zhuang Ya-Shu, Director of Overseas Compatriot Education at the Overseas Community Affairs Council; Raj Salwan, Mayor of Fremont; Jessica Patterson, Chair of the California Republican Party; Lin Gui-Xiang, Honorary President of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce; and Chen Guang-Bo, Honorary President of the North American Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce, along with other prominent figures. The Consul-General of Japan in San Francisco, Takeshi Ishihara, also sent representatives to join the celebration.
President Zhou Wei-Yu of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in the San Francisco Bay Area reflected on the organization’s 30-year history and expressed gratitude to all members and friends for their continued support. He mentioned that the chamber organizes various activities throughout the year, including today’s annual meeting, featuring high-profile political figures to analyze Taiwan-US relations, and a Thanksgiving charity event in November where 500 meal boxes will be distributed to give back to the community.
A highlight of the evening was a keynote speech by Jessica Patterson, Chair of the California Republican Party, titled “Looking Ahead to Taiwan-US Relations under the Trump Administration.” She emphasized the impact of President Trump’s successful reelection, particularly in California, where the Republican Party made significant gains in county elections and state legislative seats. Patterson criticized the Biden administration’s economic, border, and foreign policies, citing worsened inflation, increased crime rates, and diminished international standing, while highlighting Trump’s efforts to rebuild America’s strength.
Patterson specifically mentioned Taiwan as a crucial economic partner for the US and California, particularly in the technology industry where it plays a key role in the semiconductor supply chain. The Trump administration pledged continued support for Taiwan, deepening bilateral trade and defense cooperation. She underscored Trump’s focus on technological development, advocating for innovations like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies to maintain America’s global competitive edge.
She also addressed China’s provocations towards Taiwan, suggesting that during the Biden administration, such actions were allowed as they would not continue under Trump’s return. Looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, Patterson urged the Taiwan-US business community to actively engage and support Republican policies to ensure the continued prosperity and development of California and the United States.
Following the speech, President Zhou Wei-Yu stated, “Our top priority is the security of the Taiwan Strait.” He emphasized that Patterson’s speech conveyed a powerful message about the unbreakable Taiwan-US relationship and how the strong Trump administration could deter China and maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait. He speculated that Trump may be requesting Taiwan to purchase advanced American military aircraft to enhance its defense capabilities.
Peter Kuo, the United Nations Association Orange County’s Tech Ambassador, expressed to the media that Taiwan and the US should have closer ties. He stressed the importance of the US recognizing Taiwan as a democratic beacon in Asia, warning that if Taiwan loses its freedom, the entire region could fall under Chinese control. He hoped that the Taiwanese people could unite and emphasize Taiwan’s democratic values and strategic significance to the US, establishing more direct communication channels to solidify the Taiwan-US relationship akin to the US-Japan alliance.
Kuo also mentioned that after Trump’s presidency, Taiwan should not fear but demonstrate its determination to defend itself to the US. He highlighted China’s long-standing infiltration of Taiwan’s political and media landscape, influencing public perceptions of US policies and leading to misunderstandings about the Trump administration. He urged the Taiwanese people to be vigilant against biased opinions in the media, focus on independent outlets, and seek more accurate information.
At the annual meeting, speeches were given by Lai Ming-Chi, Zhuang Ya-Shu, the Japanese representative, Mayor of Fremont, and other guests, offering congratulations and remarks. In addition to the formal speeches, there were prize drawing sessions during the banquet, creating an atmosphere filled with anticipation. Exciting performances including traditional dancing, guitar playing, and singing entertained the attendees, enhancing the festive Lunar New Year atmosphere. Participants deepened friendships through relaxed and joyful interactions, embracing the new year together.