President Daniel K.Y. Han meets with the "Yokohama and Shizuoka Overseas Chinese Community Delegation Returning to Pay Tribute to Taiwan"; President Han: I hope that the oversea compatriots take pride in being a part of Taiwan
On the morning of February 19, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han, accompanied by Legislators Hsu Chiao-Hsin (KMT), Lin Yueh-Chin (DPP), and Chen Gau-Tzu (TPP), along with Director Kevin C.F. Lin of the Department of International Affairs and Deputy Minister Zhang Liang-Min of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, met with the Yokohama and Shizuoka Overseas Chinese Community Delegation Returning to Pay Tribute to Taiwan
President Han warmly welcomed the delegation and took a group photo with the attending legislators and guests. He noted that the presence of legislators from all three major parties was indicative of the Legislative Yuan’s collective support and appreciation for overseas compatriots returning to Taiwan. He likened the overseas Chinese community to seeds that have taken root and flourished abroad while maintaining deep ties to their homeland, always hoping for Taiwan’s prosperity. He highlighted that according to surveys, nearly 77% of the people in Taiwan and Japan hold highly favorable views of each other. In 2024 alone, visitors from Taiwan traveled to Japan over six million times, demonstrating the strong and friendly ties between the two nations. He expressed his hope that with continued efforts, overseas compatriots would continue to take pride in being a part of Taiwan and that Taiwan-Japan relations would further deepen and expand for mutual benefit.
The President of the Yokohama Overseas Chinese Association, Hsu Yao-Keng, expressed his gratitude to President Han and the attending legislators for taking the time to meet with the delegation. He stated that it was an honor to visit the Legislative Yuan, the highest representative body of the Republic of China, which plays a crucial role in passing national legislation and overseeing government affairs. He hoped that under President Han’s leadership, the Legislative Yuan would continue to benefit the country and its people, making Taiwan an even better place. President Hsu emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is home to overseas compatriots, and that the Yokohama Overseas Chinese Association, regardless of political affiliation, fully supports Taiwan’s democracy and will continue passing on this patriotic passion to future generations. He noted that Taiwan-Japan relations have grown increasingly close in recent years, with active exchanges between Japanese lawmakers and the Taiwanese expatriate community in Japan. Though Taiwan and Japan lack formal diplomatic ties, the overseas compatriots at this event can serve as unofficial ambassadors, working alongside the government to further strengthen Taiwan-Japan relations.
During the bilateral exchange, Legislator Lin Yueh-Chin noted that Yokohama is home to Japan’s largest overseas Chinese community and thanked President Hsu Yao-Keng for his long-standing dedication to serving the community and fostering Taiwan-Japan friendship. She also praised President Hsu’s renowned Chinese restaurant, Kyo Chubo (Hsu’s Kitchen), which has earned widespread acclaim and was awarded the Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare’s commendation for its contributions to promoting and developing Chinese cuisine. She applauded President Hsu’s commitment to overseas compatriot affairs despite his professional success and emphasized that overseas community engagement is an essential aspect of diplomacy. She welcomed the delegation’s visit and encouraged the overseas compatriots in attendance to continue strengthening Taiwan-Japan ties and expanding cooperation across various fields.
Legislator Chen Gau-Tzu shared that both of her parents were educated under the Japanese system, and her family upheld a strict, Japanese-style upbringing. Having grown up listening to Japanese nursery rhymes, she developed a deep emotional connection with Japan and travels there at least twice a year. She described Taiwan and Japan as "brother nations" that support one another, stating that Taiwan’s security is Japan’s security, and that Japan’s security is Taiwan’s security. She was delighted to see overseas compatriots returning to Taiwan and hoped they would cherish the Taiwan-Japan friendship, expand bilateral cooperation, and work together to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Legislator Hsu Chiao-Hsin emphasized that her family background reflects Taiwan’s ethnic diversity, encompassing Minnan Taiwanese, mainland Chinese, and Hakka heritage. In her generation, ethnic identity is no longer a divisive issue. She praised the deep historical ties between Taiwan and Japan and encouraged overseas compatriots to continue promoting Chinese culture in Japan and worldwide, fostering greater global understanding of Chinese history and heritage.
President Hsu Yao-Keng concluded by highlighting that the overseas Chinese community in Yokohama holds grand celebrations in the form of a large parade in Yokohama Chinatown every year for Taiwan’s National Day on October 10, attracting a diverse audience of overseas compatriots, Japanese citizens, and international visitors. He extended a sincere invitation to President Han and the attending legislators to participate in the festivities and called on the government to provide tangible support and encouragement to patriotic overseas compatriots. Additionally, he announced that the 11th Taiwan-Japan Exchange Summit will be held on November 5 in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, and warmly welcomed President Han and the legislators to attend.
President Han noted that Yokohama, as Japan’s second-largest city, holds significant importance. He also mentioned that Japan will be hosting the 2025 World Expo in Osaka this April, and in August, the Legislative Yuan is planning to host the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Union (APPU) Annual Conference. As the chairman of the Legislative Yuan’s Taiwan-Japan Exchange Association, President Han stated that he intends to lead a bipartisan delegation to Japan at an appropriate time, hoping to visit Yokohama if able and strengthen ties with overseas compatriots.
President Han warmly welcomed the delegation and took a group photo with the attending legislators and guests. He noted that the presence of legislators from all three major parties was indicative of the Legislative Yuan’s collective support and appreciation for overseas compatriots returning to Taiwan. He likened the overseas Chinese community to seeds that have taken root and flourished abroad while maintaining deep ties to their homeland, always hoping for Taiwan’s prosperity. He highlighted that according to surveys, nearly 77% of the people in Taiwan and Japan hold highly favorable views of each other. In 2024 alone, visitors from Taiwan traveled to Japan over six million times, demonstrating the strong and friendly ties between the two nations. He expressed his hope that with continued efforts, overseas compatriots would continue to take pride in being a part of Taiwan and that Taiwan-Japan relations would further deepen and expand for mutual benefit.
The President of the Yokohama Overseas Chinese Association, Hsu Yao-Keng, expressed his gratitude to President Han and the attending legislators for taking the time to meet with the delegation. He stated that it was an honor to visit the Legislative Yuan, the highest representative body of the Republic of China, which plays a crucial role in passing national legislation and overseeing government affairs. He hoped that under President Han’s leadership, the Legislative Yuan would continue to benefit the country and its people, making Taiwan an even better place. President Hsu emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is home to overseas compatriots, and that the Yokohama Overseas Chinese Association, regardless of political affiliation, fully supports Taiwan’s democracy and will continue passing on this patriotic passion to future generations. He noted that Taiwan-Japan relations have grown increasingly close in recent years, with active exchanges between Japanese lawmakers and the Taiwanese expatriate community in Japan. Though Taiwan and Japan lack formal diplomatic ties, the overseas compatriots at this event can serve as unofficial ambassadors, working alongside the government to further strengthen Taiwan-Japan relations.
During the bilateral exchange, Legislator Lin Yueh-Chin noted that Yokohama is home to Japan’s largest overseas Chinese community and thanked President Hsu Yao-Keng for his long-standing dedication to serving the community and fostering Taiwan-Japan friendship. She also praised President Hsu’s renowned Chinese restaurant, Kyo Chubo (Hsu’s Kitchen), which has earned widespread acclaim and was awarded the Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare’s commendation for its contributions to promoting and developing Chinese cuisine. She applauded President Hsu’s commitment to overseas compatriot affairs despite his professional success and emphasized that overseas community engagement is an essential aspect of diplomacy. She welcomed the delegation’s visit and encouraged the overseas compatriots in attendance to continue strengthening Taiwan-Japan ties and expanding cooperation across various fields.
Legislator Chen Gau-Tzu shared that both of her parents were educated under the Japanese system, and her family upheld a strict, Japanese-style upbringing. Having grown up listening to Japanese nursery rhymes, she developed a deep emotional connection with Japan and travels there at least twice a year. She described Taiwan and Japan as "brother nations" that support one another, stating that Taiwan’s security is Japan’s security, and that Japan’s security is Taiwan’s security. She was delighted to see overseas compatriots returning to Taiwan and hoped they would cherish the Taiwan-Japan friendship, expand bilateral cooperation, and work together to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Legislator Hsu Chiao-Hsin emphasized that her family background reflects Taiwan’s ethnic diversity, encompassing Minnan Taiwanese, mainland Chinese, and Hakka heritage. In her generation, ethnic identity is no longer a divisive issue. She praised the deep historical ties between Taiwan and Japan and encouraged overseas compatriots to continue promoting Chinese culture in Japan and worldwide, fostering greater global understanding of Chinese history and heritage.
President Hsu Yao-Keng concluded by highlighting that the overseas Chinese community in Yokohama holds grand celebrations in the form of a large parade in Yokohama Chinatown every year for Taiwan’s National Day on October 10, attracting a diverse audience of overseas compatriots, Japanese citizens, and international visitors. He extended a sincere invitation to President Han and the attending legislators to participate in the festivities and called on the government to provide tangible support and encouragement to patriotic overseas compatriots. Additionally, he announced that the 11th Taiwan-Japan Exchange Summit will be held on November 5 in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, and warmly welcomed President Han and the legislators to attend.
President Han noted that Yokohama, as Japan’s second-largest city, holds significant importance. He also mentioned that Japan will be hosting the 2025 World Expo in Osaka this April, and in August, the Legislative Yuan is planning to host the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Union (APPU) Annual Conference. As the chairman of the Legislative Yuan’s Taiwan-Japan Exchange Association, President Han stated that he intends to lead a bipartisan delegation to Japan at an appropriate time, hoping to visit Yokohama if able and strengthen ties with overseas compatriots.