International Jieren Association North America Council and representatives from various branches of the Bay Area visited the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center on Wednesday afternoon to meet with Director Zhuang Yashu, report on the development of council affairs, and look ahead to the future. Director Zhuang personally presented the election certificates to the newly appointed branch presidents, encouraging the branches to vigorously develop overseas Chinese youth and promote the inheritance and development of the overseas Chinese community.
The visitors included: International Jieren Association World Council 2023-24 President Wu Yuping, North American Council President Wu Muye, newly appointed president of the North California International Jieren Association Du Zhaoming, newly appointed president of the Fremont International Jieren Association and North American Council Secretary-General Qiu Peizhi, President Zhou Weijun and Vice President Jiang Yuhui of the San Jose International Jieren Association, Vice President Li Meixiang of the San Francisco Peace International Jieren Association, former president of the Silicon Valley International Jieren Association Liu Baogang, and President Ye Yunhe of the San Francisco International Jieren Association, all witnessing this exchange and certificate conferment ceremony.
Director Zhuang Yashu welcomed the visit of the international Jieren Association leaders and praised the association for its continued expansion under the leadership of President Wu Yuping (2023-24), with global influence. She affirmed the association’s long-term focus on community welfare, the gathering of outstanding individuals, and their collective contribution to society, stating that the motto “Not to consider oneself as an outstanding person, but to strive to become one” is inspiring and can promote social harmony and public welfare initiatives.
She emphasized that the overseas Chinese community should actively attract young people to participate and called on the council president and branch presidents to promote youth activities, with the Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee pledging its “strong support.”
The Jieren Association has six branches in the San Francisco Bay Area, established in order as follows: North California Branch, Silicon Valley Branch, San Francisco Branch, San Jose Branch, Fremont Branch, and San Francisco Peace Branch. Wu Yuping stated that one of the core principles of the Jieren Association is to cultivate ethical virtues and uphold noble character, a concept particularly important in today’s society. Therefore, she is committed to expanding branches globally to provide Chinese descendants with opportunities to learn and practice the “four virtues and eight honors.”
Over the past two years, she successfully established 25 branches, expanding the Jieren Association’s influence from the original four continents to South America and Africa, reaching 85 branches worldwide by the end of her term. Last year, the conference decided to establish councils for the six continents, merging the United States and Canada into the North American Council. She hopes that the Bay Area branches will regularly hold distinctive events and actively collaborate to promote flagship projects, together promoting the spirit of Jieren.
North American Council President Wu Muye stated that they will uphold the spirit of “becoming an outstanding person in a day, a lifelong outstanding person.” He emphasized that joining the Jieren Association is not for fame or fortune, but to dedicate oneself to promoting the association’s principles for the benefit of more people.
New North California Branch President Du Zhaoming expressed a desire to learn from the former president and hoped for strong financial support from the director to jointly organize activities with partners. Liu Baogang, representing the Silicon Valley Branch, promised full support and participation in the May 17th social gathering planned by the North American Council, actively assisting in the smooth progress of the event.
San Francisco President Ye Yunhe hoped to promote steady growth in the branch and urged everyone to cultivate good relationships, jointly promote traditional ethical values, and enhance American society’s understanding of ethics and morals.
Having served as the San Jose President last year, Zhou Weijun expressed a willingness to contribute to the overseas Chinese community and learn from fellow presidents. This year, he will actively promote various activities, including public welfare, performances, and community service, continuing to exert influence.
Former Silicon Valley President Jiang Yuhui expressed her hope that in the future, they will not only nurture the next generation but also collaborate with all sectors to jointly develop the Jieren Association.
Fremont’s new President Qiu Peizhi stated that she will rally more young people to join the Jieren Association and promote the development of association affairs. Vice President Li Meixiang of the San Francisco Peace Branch was inspired by everyone’s contributions and hoped to learn from them, aiming to be more actively involved and contribute in the future.
In 1968, the Jieren Association was founded in Taiwan, dedicated to promoting the “four virtues and eight honors” to foster a harmonious society. The “four virtues” originate from the “Guanzi,” referring to propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame, the foundation of moral conduct for the individual and the nation. The “eight honors” proposed by Sun Yat-sen in the sixth lecture on nationalism in the “Principles of Kuomintang” include loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, love, trustworthiness, righteousness, harmony, and peace, considered inherent morals. The combination of the four virtues and eight honors has become the core idea for promoting ethical values within the Jieren Association.