The 91st National Day Celebration of Taiwan was held at the SunSpree Holiday Inn Resort on October 12, 2002. I was lucky enough to attend this wonderful celebration of my own country in Phoenix, Arizona. "Double Ten" refers to the 10th day of the 10th month, and commemorates the overthrow of the Manchu Qing dynasty, China’s last, by revolutionaries on October 10, 1911. This was a great event where everyone in the community was able to come together and celebrate the most important national holiday in Taiwan.
Before the Ceremony began, people all over the Valley gathered together at a reception just before the ball room opened. I was able to meet some very important people. Sheriff Joe Arpaio was the first person I met. This was a great honor—to be able to meet a person like him at a national celebration. I also was able to meet the head of immigration, Mr. Ron Smith and his deputy, Russell Ahr and took pictures with them. There were so many people around the reception that I couldn’t get to meet all of them.
The ceremony started at 6:50 and everyone was to be seated at their tables. The program was opened with a Chinese cultural Lion Dance. Seeing these young teens performing was very impressive. After the lion dance, the two National Anthems were sung—United States of America and Taiwan, Republic of China. The Mistress and Master of Ceremonies were Teresa Huang and Barry Wong. They introduced the dignitaries who spoke:
· Lee Huff, personal assistant to the Hon. Matt Salmon, read a letter from the former Congressman
· Honorable Joe Arpaio, Sheriff, Maricopa County
· Hon. Steve Burman, Mayor, City of Gilbert
· Hon. Claude Mattox, Vice Mayor, City of Phoenix
· Proclamation from the Governor and Secretary of State
· Ambassador Jason Yuan, Director General Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in LA
The entire ceremony turned out to be wonderful. Everyone was able to learn and know more about Taiwan and the meaning of the Double Ten celebration. I was very pleased about this event. America is truly a very diverse country and many different people have there own culture and celebrations. I am glad that I live in a community that celebrates my country’s holiday.
The following is the keynote speech of Director General Jason Yuan:
Good evening, It is indeed a great honor for my wife Maggie and my colleagues to join you on this auspicious dinner banquet in celebrating the 91st Anniversary of the Republic of China. First I want to thank the Chinese and Taiwanese American associations in the greater Phoenix area for organizing such a wonderful event.
Since her founding 91 years ago by Dr. Sun, Yat-sen, politically, the Republic of China has matured into a full-fledged democracy, upholding freedom of speech and human rights, the same values enjoyed and cherished by the people and government of the United States. Economically, the ROC on Taiwan is now the 14th largest trading country in the world, the 8th largest trading partner of the U.S, the 10th largest trading partner of the Great State of Arizona.
In the international arena, the Republic of China seeks to play a more positive role as a contributor. Thanks to the continuous support and kind assistance from the United States, the Republic of China has successfully joined several important international organizations such as the WTO (World Trade Organization) and APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Corporation). With your commitment and continuous support, we hope to join the WHO (World Health Organization) as well as the United Nations, so that we will be able to contribute more effectively to the international community.
Having mentioned the above facts, I want to draw your attention to the issue concerning regional security on the Pacific Rim. The People’s Republic of China, in order to force a reunification with our country, has deployed more than 400 missiles aiming at us along its coastal area. This hostile act has posed an extremely serious threat of peace on the Pacific Rim. In order to maintain regional peace and stability, our President Chen, Shui-Bian has just urged the PRC to stop this dangerous operation two days ago in his remarks on the Nation Day Celebration. Dear guests, I would also like to ask you to voice your support on this matter and help ease the tension across the Taiwan Strait.
Again, I thank you for your friendship and support. May the friendship between the Republic of China and the United States, and in particular, our friendship with the great state of Arizona, last forever!
Yung Chen is a senior at Arizona State University and is an intern for the Asian Chamber of Commerce. Among his many duties as an intern, Yung covers events for the Asian SUNews, attends meetings, takes pictures, etc.—anything that will give him the experience needed to succeed in the world outside of the university. Yung is the fourth intern for Asian Chamber.
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