More than 1,500 people took part in this year’s Republic of China National Day parade held in San Francisco on October 6th, making it the largest such parade since the 100th anniversary of the ROC was celebrated in 2011. This was despite the decision by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, established by Chinese immigrants in early 20th century in San Francisco’s Chinatown, not to take part this year’s traditional Double Tenth celebrations.
Before the start of the parade, Bruce Fuh, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, greeted well-wishers at St. Mary’s Square close to a bronze statue of the ROC’s founding father Sun Yat-sen. Fuh thanked the 125 teams taking part in the event and reminded the participants and spectators that the ROC has shared the same founding vision and values as the United States since its establishment over a hundred years ago. In the struggle for survival and development, the ROC on Taiwan thanks the US for its long term support, said Fuh.
Director-General Fuh stressed that President Ma Ying-jeou made a special trip to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in New York City while transiting on his way to visit Latin America in August this year to demonstrate the emphasis that Taiwan’s government places on the its friendship with traditional ethnic Chinese communities. It is noteworthy that the US government agreed to President Ma’s itinerary to call on the CCBA, which is of significance because it is a symbol of the US government’s endorsement of Taiwan’s continuing to maintain its long-term friendship with traditional ethnic Chinese communities.
On the one-mile route, the parade passed through San Francisco’s Chinatown with much fanfare, attracting more than a thousand people from all sections of the local community to cheer and clap. Among the 125 participating teams, were ethnic Chinese organizations like Hop Sing Tong, the Heaven and Earth Society on Five Continents and other traditional ethnic Chinese community groups. They lined up with ranks of large ROC flags and were accompanied by performing lion dancers, all showing their firm support for Taiwan.
Taiwanese communities in the Bay Area also held a national day flag-raising ceremony at the Santa Clara County Government Plaza in San Jose. Attending the event were nearly a thousand ethnic Taiwanese and Chinese people, along with many ordinary local people. , and a dozen politicians and Congressional representatives such as Congressman Mike Honda, California State Senator Leland Yee, State Senator Paul Fong, Santa Clara County Board Supervisor David Cortese, Mayor of Cupertino Orrin Mahoney, and Councilman Kansen Chu of San Jose.
Roy Yuan-Rong Leu, vice minister of Taiwan’s Overseas Community Council, also attended these two events.
