Councilmember Peter Ortiz, who initiated the proclamation, described the effort as a tribute to the Taiwanese community’s spirit and achievements.
San Jose, the third-largest city in California, officially proclaimed Oct. 25 to be “Republic of China Day,” recognizing the Taiwanese American community’s lasting contributions to the city’s cultural and economic life. Taiwan’s official name is the Republic of China.
During a city council meeting on Oct. 28, Mayor Matt Mahan presented the proclamation to David Chih-Hsiang Wu, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in San Francisco, Taiwan’s de facto consulate in Northern California.
Decades of Friendship
The proclamation—jointly signed by Mahan and all city council members—commemorates the longstanding ties between San Jose and Tainan, Taiwan, which became sister cities in 1977. It also honors the efforts of the Sino American Heritage Foundation in restoring the Chinese Cultural Garden in Overfelt Gardens Park. The garden is a local landmark built in the 1970s through donations from Taiwan.
Wu said it was an honor for him to witness San Jose’s official recognition of Republic of China Day.
“On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I express our heartfelt gratitude for this meaningful recognition,” Wu said. “Taiwanese Americans have long contributed to the cultural, technological, and economic vitality of San Jose and the greater Bay Area. This proclamation reconfirms the deep bonds of our peoples, united by shared values of freedom, human rights, and democracy.”
Wu praised San Jose’s cultural diversity and innovative spirit, adding that Taiwan looks forward to deepening cooperation in technology, education, and cultural exchange.
A Symbol of Shared Values
Councilmember Peter Ortiz, who initiated the proclamation, described the effort as a tribute to the Taiwanese community’s spirit and achievements.
“Let us honor this day to the strength of the community of Taiwanese people, their resilience, democracy, and innovation, and look for the future of continued peace, prosperity, and friendship between our two countries,” he said before the mayor presented the proclamation.
Ortiz said the Chinese Cultural Garden, located in his district, is an important reminder of the local Taiwanese community’s historical role in the city.
“We need to make sure that the city of San Jose is recognizing the many contributions of the Taiwanese people to the city, and the city of San Jose respects them,” Ortiz said.
He told reporters that he would be interested in visiting Taiwan in the future.
By Nathan Su
