The Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in Northern California held a grand president handover ceremony on the evening of June 7th in Saratoga. Sybil Chen succeeded Jake Huang as the 38th president of the Chamber of Commerce. Nearly a hundred guests attended the event, creating a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.
The ceremony was graced by numerous distinguished guests, including the director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, Ming-Chi Lai, as well as other prominent figures and officials from the Taiwanese community. The event was a testament to the unity and support within the community.
In her speech, the Honorary President of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce, Lin Gui-xiang, praised the steady growth of the Chamber over the past thirty years and expressed her gratitude towards the outgoing president and his team. She wished the new president, Sybil Chen, success in continuing the Chamber’s prestigious traditions.
The Honorary President of the North American Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce, Wu Yi-ming, commended the Chamber for its rapid rejuvenation and the strong lineup of executives. He emphasized the Chamber’s active involvement in both local and global communities and encouraged everyone to join and contribute.
Director Lai Ming-Chi of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco expressed his gratitude for the Chamber’s long-term support in promoting diplomatic relations and overseas Taiwanese affairs. He humorously remarked on the effects of aging but showed appreciation for the support received, concluding with a farewell message as he is set to step down from his position on June 20th.
The Director of the Overseas Compatriot Education Center, Zhuang Ya-shu, highlighted the Chamber’s role as an essential force within the Taiwanese community, praising the past president for expanding educational activities and acknowledging the new president’s experience and connections, expressing hope for the Chamber’s continuous growth and orderly succession.
Outgoing president, Jake Huang, reflected on his tenure, citing various achievements such as community engagement, mainstream social interactions, youth entrepreneur training, and charitable initiatives. He credited the Chamber’s success to the collective efforts of all executives and expressed his gratitude to the supporters, presenting commemorative gifts as tokens of appreciation.
During the event, Jake Huang performed a touching rendition of “Love Me, Don’t Go”; the 34th president, Wang Yi-qin, presided over the farewell ceremony for Director Lai Ming-Chi and his wife, presenting them with flowers as a gesture of gratitude. The evening concluded with a group singing of “Friends”, creating a warm and emotional atmosphere.
New president Sybil Chen delivered her inaugural speech in a sincere and humorous manner, outlining her plans for the Chamber. She expressed gratitude to her predecessors, past presidents, mentors, and family for their unwavering support. Under the theme of “Continuing Tradition, Sustained Development”, she announced a comprehensive plan for her term, introducing the team, outlining key events, and expressing gratitude to supporters.
Chen announced that the new team consists of 17 directors and supervisors, with plans for six board meetings and ten major activities throughout the year. These activities include the handover ceremony, executive training, monthly meetings, family BBQ, wine tasting, business workshops, charity events, and sports competitions. She emphasized that the Chamber’s success belongs to every team member and attendee, expressing gratitude and confidence in the team and acknowledging the support of donors.