The Republic of China flag has been flying in front of San Jose City Hall since October 25, marking a week-long celebration. This event participants gathered for the flag-raising ceremony, initiated by San Jose City Council member Peter Ortiz, who expressed gratitude to the Chinese American Traditional Foundation for their efforts in fundraising to restore the Chinese Cultural Park, which had been damaged by homeless individuals.
Peter Ortiz has covered the costs for the ceremony, highlighting the significance of the Chinese Cultural Park, established in 1971 and donated by the ROC government to the San Jose government. The park features traditional Chinese structures, all of which are made from materials sourced directly from Taiwan. However, during the pandemic, these buildings suffered damage. This year, the Chinese American Traditional Foundation launched a community fundraising initiative to repair the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and other structures within the park.
Ortiz noted the many influential political, business, and tech leaders from the Taiwanese community in San Jose’s history, thanking the foundation for facilitating the park’s restoration.
The restoration plan for the Chinese Cultural Park is being coordinated by the Chinese American Traditional Foundation and will unfold in two phases, with an initial fundraising goal of $3 million. The first phase of renovations is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2025, focusing on the most critical structure, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, with an expected completion date of June 30, 2026. The foundation will also continue to raise funds for the park’s ongoing maintenance.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan expressed appreciation for the Taiwanese community in San Jose, noting the city shares a 40-year sister city relationship with Tainan, Taiwan. He emphasized the special connection between San Jose and Taiwan, particularly in terms of cultural and economic benefits, pointing out that several key technology companies, including NVIDIA, AMD, and TSMC, have strong ties to Taiwan. The contributions of the Taiwanese community have played a significant role in shaping Silicon Valley as it is known today.
Lin Darui, president of the Chinese American Traditional Foundation, thanked Mayor Mahan, his team, and Peter Ortiz for their instrumental support. He stated that the construction of the Chinese Cultural Park has made it an exceptional venue for showcasing Chinese culture over the past 50 years. The upcoming restoration efforts aim to restore this historically significant site for future generations to appreciate and inherit Chinese cultural heritage.
The flag-raising ceremony featured performances by the Liang Guan Bai He Lion Dance Troupe, a color guard from the Air Force’s Da Peng Association, and a rendition of the national anthem led by the National Taiwan University Alumni Choir. Distinguished guests included Deputy Director of the Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, Zhu Yongchang; Fremont City Council Member Shao Yang; Chairman of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Zhong Weijun; various community leaders and political representatives, such as KMT members Wang Wei and Yang Kunshan; San Jose-Tainan Sister City Association President Xue Meiying; Chinese American Association President Mao Xiaoling; Silicon Valley Chinese American Technology and Business Association board member Zheng Yingzhong, and several other community leaders and political representatives.
Mayor Mahan, along with Ortiz, presented a certificate of commendation to the Chinese American Traditional Foundation in recognition of their contributions.
