On July 6th, the Chinese American Heritage Foundation held a commemorative lecture in the South Bay to honor the victory of the July 7th Anti-Japanese War. During the event, the foundation also announced the establishment of the Chinese Cultural Park Maintenance Committee.
Guests attending the lecture included Vice Director Zhu Yongchang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, Councilman Peter Ortiz from San Jose, Sally Lee, wife of County Council Member Otto Lee, and their children, as well as various distinguished individuals from the overseas Chinese community.
Yang Kunshan was specially invited to speak on “Remembering the Chinese Expeditionary Force in Burma,” recounting the battlefield in Burma during the Anti-Japanese War. He detailed the formation of the expeditionary force, the significance of the Burma Road, the Hump Route, and the Stilwell Road, analyzing the victories and losses of the first and second expeditions to Burma, and the commemorative activities for the Chinese Expeditionary Force in various regions of Burma.
He emphasized that China played a crucial role in World War II, tying down Japanese forces in the Asian theater. The Chinese people made significant sacrifices and contributions during the eight years of resistance against Japan.
Yang Kunshan expressed to the media that the Expeditionary Force holds a deeply significant place in the history of Burmese Chinese people. The sacrifices made by the force not only saved Burma but also the Burmese Chinese community, representing a history filled with poignant sacrifices. Specifically recalling annual commemorative events during his childhood in Burma, he highlighted the sacrifices made during the second expedition but emphasized the ultimate victory achieved.
Zheng Jisen, the founding president, shared the history of the San Jose Chinese Cultural Garden and, together with his daughter, made a donation of one thousand dollars. The Chinese Cultural Garden was officially opened to the public in 1971. Spanning 6 acres, this classical Chinese design park featuring the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Chiang Kai-shek Bronze Statuary Pavilion, Plum Pavilion, and Confucius Bronze Statue was established by community leader Liu Guoneng.
It was mentioned that within the Chinese Cultural Garden, former Tainan Mayor Su Nancheng donated a large stone engraved with the words “loyalty and filial piety,” symbolizing the traditional spirit of the Republic of China. Zheng Jisen hoped that more visitors, especially children, would come to understand Chinese culture through visiting the park, while also calling on overseas Chinese entrepreneurs in the Bay Area to generously support its maintenance.
President Lin Darui noted that this year marked the 87th anniversary of the July 7th Anti-Japanese War. The Sino American Heritage Foundation holds annual events on July 7th to commemorate the victory of the war against Japan, aiming to educate future generations and pass down the heroic stories of sacrifice for the nation.
Additionally, the official establishment of the “Chinese Cultural Park Maintenance Committee” was announced to encourage various associations to actively participate in park cleanup, maintenance, painting, and increasing park utilization to restore its vitality.
Notably, the buildings within the Chinese Cultural Garden including the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Chiang Kai-shek Bronze Statuary Pavilion, Plum Pavilion, Confucius Bronze Statue, and Thousand-Year Loyalty and Filial Piety Stone were all transported from Taiwan to San Jose. This park stands as the only cultural park in the United States where all structures are from Taiwan.
Lin Darui highlighted the need for park restoration, estimated to require at least $500,000, with most of the costs relying on support from the overseas Chinese community. He urged the community to donate generously and encouraged hosting events within the park.
Established in 2021 originally as the Committee for Commemorating the July 7th Anti-Japanese War and Taiwan’s Recovery, the Sino American Heritage Foundation was renamed in February to better serve the overseas Chinese community. For more information on activities at the Chinese Cultural Garden and details on volunteering, please visit the foundation’s website at www SinoAHF.org.