【ANN NEWS, LOS ANGELES】
The Association of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations Across the Americas held a press conference on the 18th at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Los Angeles, formally announcing that the “35th Annual Conference of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations, Chinese Benevolent Associations and Overseas Chinese Associations Across the Americas” will be held from August 22 to 24 at the Hilton Arcadia in Los Angeles. Representatives from Chinese communities in the United States, Canada, Central America and South America will gather in Southern California to exchange information on their respective communities and discuss future cooperation and development among Chinese organizations across the Americas.
Officials and leaders of Chinese community organizations attending the press conference included: Chang Hao-Chun, director of the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles; Chang Tzu-Hao, executive director of the Association of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations Across the Americas; Nieh Tse-Ying, chairman of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Los Angeles; Vice Chairman Chu Po-Tien; Board of Supervisors Chair Chang Li-Ching; Deputy Board of Supervisors Chair Liang Kuo-Hui; Pan-American Annual Conference committee members Wu Ching-Chun, Yu Yen-Nung and Ma Kuo-Wei; association adviser Huang Chung-Yen-Chen; Overseas Community Affairs Council members Lee Chien-Min and Liu Huan-Chun; Women’s New Life Movement Chair Yuan Lu; adviser Hsieh Chuan-Tso of the Canadian-Taiwanese association; and Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos representative Lo Ming, among others.
Nieh Tse-Ying, chairman of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Los Angeles, said in his remarks that from the early generations of overseas Chinese who crossed the oceans and established roots abroad to today’s thriving Chinese communities across the Americas, Chinese consolidated benevolent associations, local associations and overseas Chinese organizations have long shouldered important responsibilities, including connecting community members, serving local communities, preserving Chinese culture, protecting the rights and interests of Chinese people, and promoting friendly exchanges between Taiwan and the United States.
He said that for decades, Chinese consolidated benevolent associations, Chinese benevolent associations and overseas Chinese associations across the Americas have used the biennial conference to exchange experiences, build solidarity and strengthen friendships. The conference is not only a platform for exchanges among Chinese community organizations from different regions, but also an important occasion to jointly consider the future direction of Chinese community organizations. He also wished the 35th annual conference every success.
Chang Tzu-Hao, executive director of the Association of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations Across the Americas, said the association was founded in 1976 and has long upheld the spirit of mutual assistance and cooperation among overseas Chinese organizations. It is committed to bringing overseas Chinese communities together, strengthening community solidarity, promoting Chinese culture, cultivating younger generations of Chinese descent, advancing the sustainable development and continuity of overseas Chinese organizations, and supporting the democratic and free Republic of China.
Chang Tzu-Hao said the association’s conference is held every two years in different cities across the Americas. Its members are located in more than 20 U.S. cities, including New York, Boston, New England, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, as well as countries and regions including Canada, Brazil and Paraguay.
This year, the 35th annual conference returns to Los Angeles, with more than 80 representatives from various regions expected to attend. Representatives from the Overseas Chinese Association of the Republic of China and the Overseas Chinese Federation will also travel to Los Angeles for the event.
Chang Hao-Chun, director of the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, said preparations for this year’s conference have been underway for several months, with nine working groups established to handle reception and conference arrangements. He expressed particular appreciation to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Los Angeles, Chairman Nieh Tse-Ying and other community leaders for assisting with preparations and hospitality.
Chang Hao-Chun said the event will welcome 69 chairpersons and 14 family members from across the United States, Central America and South America. Community organizations and staff have devoted significant time and effort to the preparations, with the goal of ensuring that visiting representatives enjoy their stay while showcasing the unity and hospitality of the Los Angeles Chinese community.
According to the conference schedule, the opening ceremony of the 35th annual conference will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 23, at the Hilton Arcadia. Overseas Community Affairs Council Minister Hsu Chia-Ching, Deputy Director-General Chen Ling-Hsin of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, California Assemblymember Mike Fong and former California Assemblymember Thomas Wong are expected to attend.
Following the opening ceremony, Hsu Chia-Ching will host a seminar on overseas Chinese community affairs and introduce key priorities for future overseas community work. Chinese community leaders from across the Americas will also discuss conditions in their respective communities, exchange views on the opportunities and challenges facing Chinese communities in different regions, and jointly explore future directions for cooperation and development among Chinese communities across the Americas.
The conference banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. on August 23 at Golden Dragon Restaurant in Los Angeles Chinatown. More than 100 leaders of Chinese community organizations in the Los Angeles area are also expected to attend to welcome representatives from across the Americas and demonstrate the solidarity and unity of Southern California’s Chinese community.
Photo Caption:（The Association of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations Across the Americas held a press conference on the 18th at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Los Angeles, announcing that the “35th Annual Conference of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations, Chinese Benevolent Associations and Overseas Chinese Associations Across the Americas” will be held in Los Angeles from August 22 to 24. Representatives from the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, the Association of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations Across the Americas, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Los Angeles and other Chinese community organizations attended the press conference and posed for a group photo.）
