The overseas Chinese communities in San Francisco and New York celebrated New Year's Day with flags and speeches from several important figures.
San Francisco’s community held a flag-raising ceremony at the district’s overseas Chinese center in Milpitas. The crowd waved both the flags of the United States and Taiwan, sang songs, and congratulated Taiwan on its economic prosperity and national peace in the new year.
As this year coincides with an election year, many Californian politicians spoke on the importance of voting. Fremont Mayor Lily Mei (高敘加), who is of Taiwanese descent, encouraged the next generation to run for office and speak out for Asians. Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff Ken Binder said that in the face of a turbulent year, he will work hard to eliminate violence against Asians and encourage Asian people to have the courage to report crimes to the police to jointly nurture a more peaceful environment for living and working.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco Director Scott Lai (賴銘琪) specifically mentioned the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Summit hosted by San Francisco in November. He spoke on U.S. support for Taiwan but also admitted that Taiwan's international situation is still difficult and requires continued efforts.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York Director James K. J. Lee (李光章) said in his speech that for more than 100 years, major overseas Chinese groups in New York have not only supported the revolutionary founding ideals of the founding father, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, but also firmly supported Taiwan, which represents freedom, democracy, rule of law, and human rights. He said that while the world was shrouded in the shadow of war and inflation, Taiwan demonstrated democratic resilience and played a key role in the process of geopolitical changes and the reorganization of global industrial supply chains. Democratic Taiwan has been widely recognized by the international community and has become an indispensable force for good in maintaining international peace, prosperity, and stability.