On the evening of March 5th, the overseas Chinese community in San Diego, California hosted a banquet to welcome the Deputy Commissioner of the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission of Taiwan, Ruan Zhaohong.
This was Ruan Zhaohong’s first visit to San Diego since assuming the role of Deputy Commissioner of the OCA in 2023. His brief meeting with local overseas Chinese representatives marked the final stop of his California trip.
In his address, Ruan Zhaohong emphasized the importance of the connection between Taiwan and mainstream society, stressing the efforts of overseas Chinese communities in strengthening these ties. He expressed his belief that the relationship between Taiwan and the United States will continue to deepen, with the overseas Chinese community playing a vital role in assisting the government in various initiatives.
Ruan Zhaohong expressed his hope that the overseas Chinese in San Diego would contribute to fostering a more practical relationship between Taiwan and the United States through local efforts. He suggested organizing activities to invite mainstream figures from politics, academia, and other fields to engage with Taiwan, thereby enhancing understanding and connections with the local mainstream society.
Reflecting on Taiwan’s shifting trade patterns from reliance on China to increased trade with the US, Ruan Zhaohong highlighted the significant contributions of outstanding Taiwanese entrepreneurs in San Diego towards enhancing Taiwan-US relations.
He extended gratitude to the local overseas Chinese community for their efforts in cultivating the second and third generations to engage with overseas compatriot affairs, ensuring the continuity of the overseas Chinese community’s endeavors.
Prior to the banquet, Ruan Zhaohong and Hsiao Pei-ju, Director of the Overseas Community Center in Los Angeles, presented letters of appointment or reappointment to the newly appointed or reappointed honorary consultants for overseas compatriot affairs in San Diego – Zhu Man-ling, Sun Li-min, and Lee Chen-chi. They also recognized outstanding contributions within the overseas Chinese community.
Over 60 prominent figures in the overseas Chinese community and representatives attended the welcome banquet, including members like Xie Jiashu, Yeh Yun-ching, consulting commissioner Huang Li-li, the founder and CEO of Biolegend Larry Lai, the founder and CEO of Kneron Albert Liu, chairman of the Taiwan-American Foundation Chen Shu-shen, president of the San Diego Taiwanese Association Guo Mengxin, president of the San Diego Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Chen Xiaohua, president of the San Diego Science and Technology Association Hsu Hsiao-man, president of the San Diego branch of the Taiwan-American Elite Association Yang Rong, principal of the Chinese Academy Sun Li-min, principal of the Northern County Chinese School Lin Yu-ying, and director of the Northern County Culture and Education Center Lin Yu-hui.