The Taiwan Overseas Chinese Association Chairman Lin Qiguo and his wife, along with a delegation of six people, paid a visit to the Gold Mountain Bay Area Overseas Chinese Educational Center on Tuesday, April 22nd. They were warmly received by the director, Zhuang Yashu. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as enhancing connections with overseas Chinese, promoting overseas students’ education and employment policies.
The Taiwan Overseas Chinese Association was established in 1942 and has a history of over 82 years with 30 branch offices worldwide. The current chairman, Lin Qiguo, was unanimously elected in 2020, making him the ninth chairman.
Originally a student from Laos, Lin came to Taiwan for his studies and later ventured into the food and beverage industry for over 40 years. His business ventures include the Di Anh Organization, Lin Hotels, and he serves as the chairman of the listed company Shuang Mei Biotechnology. Lin is actively involved in public welfare, having served the Lions Club International for over 40 years, while his wife, Fu Yuluan, is also actively engaged in Tzu Chi charitable actions.
During the visit, Director Zhuang accompanied Chairman Lin and his wife to tour the facilities of the Overseas Chinese Educational Center. The exchange between the two parties proceeded in a relaxed and friendly manner on that day.
Director Zhuang emphasized that since its establishment in 1942, the Taiwan Overseas Chinese Association has been a close civil partner of the Overseas Community Affairs Council and an important “family” for overseas Chinese around the world.
She highly praised Chairman Lin Qiguo for his long-standing dedication to promoting overseas Chinese affairs, particularly his concern for the employment and development of overseas students.
Chairman Lin shared the Association’s efforts in overseas student policies, emphasizing collaborations with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Labor, and holding forums to listen to the voices of overseas students. He has been promoting the “Study in Taiwan, Stay in Taiwan” (SIT) initiative to encourage young overseas students to stay in Taiwan for their careers. Chairman Lin emphasized that many overseas students, whether staying in Taiwan or returning to their home countries after graduation, have excelled in the political and business sectors, becoming important promoters of Taiwan’s diplomacy and international image.
Furthermore, he highlighted the recent efforts of the Association in assisting Myanmar disaster victims by collaborating with alumni associations across Taiwan and applying for fundraising projects through the Ministry of the Interior, demonstrating the proactiveness and influence of Chinese communities in international humanitarian aid efforts.
Among the attendees that day were also key figures such as Wu Yuping, the founder and former president of the Taiwan Overseas Chinese Association’s San Francisco Bay Area branch, the current president Wu Muye, vice president Nie Jianguang, former president Zhou Chunyan, and other esteemed guests. They engaged in lively exchanges, exchanged souvenirs, and the visit concluded harmoniously in a friendly atmosphere.