The Asian American Republican Club-Queens held its inaugural meeting in Flushing on February 22nd, with Dr. Philip SC Wang, a Chinese-American physician, serving as the chairman, and Kenneth Paek, a retired Korean-American police officer, as the vice chairman. The club aims to unite the grassroots Asian-American Republican forces, promote Republican ideals among Asians, and support Republican candidates.
Two Chinese-American Republican state assembly members, Yung Jia Zheng and Hsueh Li Chen, attended the founding ceremony from Brooklyn to extend their congratulations, share their experiences, and encourage Asian-Americans to participate in politics.
Chairman Philip SC Wang is a spinal neurologist and rehabilitative specialist practicing in Flushing. He is the founding president of the New York Elite Association and previously ran for State Assembly in the 40th District of Flushing. While he narrowly lost in his first attempt, he garnered over ten thousand votes in the general election in November 2024. He explained that the establishment of the club aims to closely link Republican policies with the Asian community, advocate Republican ideologies and policies — emphasizing community safety, reducing crimes by illegal immigrants, recognizing only male and female genders, changing the current cashless bail policy, and halting the continuing decline of societal values. The club will hold regular monthly meetings and organize community activities, welcoming Republicans and like-minded individuals to join.
Vice Chairman Kenneth Paek, a Korean-American who previously ran for State Assembly in the 25th District, stated that the alliance was formed to attract more Asian voters as Democratic policies shift further left, leading Asian voters to increasingly align with the Republican Party.
Republican State Assembly member Lester Chang from the 49th District expressed in his speech that breaking the ceiling, he became Brooklyn’s first Chinese-American State Assembly member. He emphasized the importance of grassroots support for his victory but noted the insufficient support from existing Republican clubs, highlighting the necessity for more clubs like the “Asian American Republican Club” to harness grassroots support, nurture, and endorse more Asian Republican candidates.
Steve Chan, the second Republican State Assembly member and State Senator from the 17th District representing Brooklyn, began his speech with “It’s not too late” to encourage Asians to actively participate in politics. Recalling his past working in garment and plastics factories in Chinatown, serving in the Marine Corps, the NYPD, and chairing the Parent-Teacher Association, he viewed his efforts and dedication as accumulating political capital, a form of “unconscious candidacy” that resonates with ordinary voters. He stressed Republican values of law and order, fiscal responsibility, unity among ethnic groups, and protection of families and children, urging responsible use of taxpayers’ money and deterring waste, fraud, and abuse.
Former Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa emphasized the importance of not giving up, noting the rise of the Republican Party in New York and highlighting the crucial support of Asian-American voters. He cited examples of successful Asian-American Republican candidates with military and law enforcement backgrounds as inspirations for the Asian-American Republican community.
Attendees at the founding meeting included former Chinese-American police chief Wen Yao Chen, Queens Conservative Party Chairman Frank Ching-Hao Chou, Allen Wang, who is running for City Council in the 20th District, former State Assembly candidate Ai-Yi Liao from the 40th District, and Flushing Lions Club President Chi Lung Kuo.