Director General Vincent Liu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta hosted a reception to celebrate the 108th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on October 7 at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North.
In his remarks, DG Liu reviewed achievements regarding Taiwan and its relations with the United States. This year in March and in July, President Tsai Ing-Wen of Taiwan visited Hawaii, New York City and Denver, Colorado. In April of this year, a 26-member United States delegation headed by former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan arrived in Taiwan to attend events commemorating the Taiwan Relations Act and the opening of the new compound of the American Institute in Taiwan. These mutual goodwill visits prove that U.S.-Taiwan relations are growing ever stronger.
DG Liu also reviewed Taiwan’s relations with the Southeastern United States. He emphasized that this year marks the dual 40th anniversary of the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act as well as the Taipei-Atlanta Sister Cityhood. The Taiwan Relations Act has been a bedrock of the longstanding US-Taiwan relationship since it was signed into law four decades ago.
Including Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, all Southeastern U.S governors sent Proclamations and congratulatory letters to congratulate ROC (Taiwan)’s National Day. More than 300 guests attended the reception. The VIP guests included Mark Hammond, Secretary of State of South Carolina; Sharon Beasely-Teague and Pedro Marin, Representatives, Georgia House of Representatives; Wes Allen, Representative of Alabama House of Representatives; Charlotte Nash, Gwinnett County Chairwoman; Felicia Moore, Atlanta City Council President; and representatives from congressional offices, state and local government, and the diplomatic corps.
Ms. Ellen Chiang and Mr. Peter Wei co-hosted the reception. Ms. Rwei Hao sang the US and ROC National Anthems. Ms. Hwee-Eng Lee’s Atlanta Chinese Dance Company performed Flowers in the Rain and the Ribbon Dance of Empowerment. Ms. Esther Chiu and Ms. Shuling Chen produced a Taipei-Atlanta Sister Cityhood 40th anniversary short film.
Director General Vincent Liu gave remarks.
Mark Hammond, Secretary of State of South Carolina
Charlotte Nash, Gwinnett County Chairwoman
Felicia Moore, Atlanta City Council President and Amir Farokhi, Council of Atlanta City Council
VIP toasting
Ribbon Dance of Empowerment
