After introducing the Kuomintang (KMT) Representative Office in the US at the Central Committee meeting yesterday, Chairman Chu led members of the KMT US delegation to officially announce the opening of the representative office on the 9th floor of 601 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC on June 8th, 10 AM, US Eastern Time. Chu stated that the purpose of the KMT’s return to Washington DC was to let people know that the KMT is a party that is pro-America and pro-democracy. The KMT is also willing to communicate with the US at any time, said Chu, and the party was committed to expanding interactions with the US. At the opening ceremony, the KMT received congratulations from various sectors of the US, including academia, political circles, think tanks, and the overseas Chinese community. Representatives from the US State Department and former Ambassadors of Republic of China (ROC) allies were also in attendance, welcoming the KMT’s progress towards representation in the US.
In his remarks, Chairman Chu thanked everyone’s efforts to bring the KMT back to DC after the party shut down its representative office in 2008. After 14 years of separation, with everyone’s years of hard work, the KMT can finally return to DC: “We’re here, we’re back!” Chairman Chu expressed gratitude for the warm wishes and welcomes from US. He promised that he would work hard to let everyone know that the KMT stands on the side of democracy and liberty, that the KMT loves Taiwan the most, that the KMT works the hardest to safeguard the Republic of China, and that the KMT hopes to be able to communicate with the US at all times. Chairman Chu also expressed his gratitude to the leaders and representatives of the overseas Chinese community who were in attendance at the ceremony for their enthusiasm and support. He hopes that the overseas Chinese community can work hard with the staff and volunteers of the representative office to help the KMT develop even more connections with the US.
During the opening ceremony, all of the guests first stood respectfully to sing the ROC National Anthem and the USA National Anthem, symbolizing the two nations’ traditional history of camaraderie and mutual respect. The ceremony was simple and solemn, with an air of dignity.
KMT Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia said that there were many important friends from various U.S. sectors in attendance today, including former Ambassadors of ROC allies, who were present to give their congratulations. Building on these valuable connections, the representative office would help the KMT turn a new page and make even more allies.
KMT Department of International Affairs & Representative to the US Alexander Huang said that enthusiastic overseas Chinese had helped to find the location for the representative office. The office sits on 601 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC, equidistance from the US Capitol Building and the White House. In addition to symbolizing the balance between the Legislative Branch and the Executive Branch, the location also indicates that the KMT will stay close to every important sector of the US.
Department of Overseas Affairs Director & Legislator Charles Chen believes that in recent years, the KMT’s diplomatic efforts towards the US have been “a volunteer army fighting a guerilla war.” Every step forward has been quite arduous, but the establishment of the Representative Office will be like the establishment of a strategic fortress which will enormously benefit the KMT’s task of developing links with overseas Chinese communities and the US Congress. The KMT will continue integrating the strengths of overseas Chinese, exchange students, and volunteers to broaden the KMT’s foundations in Washington DC.
KMT Department of International Affairs Deputy Director, Deputy Representative to the US, & incipient resident of the US Eric Huang pointed out that it was only through assistance from numerous US groups and the efforts of his colleagues at the Department of International Affairs that the Representative Office in the US was able to be reopened. He said that the office has furniture that came from the 1980’s Reagan administration White House, symbolizing the bequeathing of a continued tradition of ROC-USA relations. In addition, the ROC flag and KMT banner from the former KMT / PFP joint Representative Office in the US were also placed at the ceremony, symbolizing commemoration and bequeathing of the history of the KMT’s development in the US. In the future, the office would work hard and strictly observe its duty to be the voice of the KMT in the US.
Washington DC Area Overseas Chinese Representative & Representing the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington, DC’s Chinatown Development Company Chairwoman Madam Rita Lee said that she was happy to see the KMT reopen its Representative Office in the US and continue to expand its ties with overseas Chinese communities. She continued on, stating that the overseas Chinese will always serve as volunteers for the KMT, safeguard the Republic of China with the KMT, and assist with the representative office’s development in the US. Madam Lee gives Chairman Chu her affirmation and hopes that the KMT will continue to be united and continue to make the extra effort!
Gathered at the opening ceremony today were individuals from US political circles, think tanks, academia, the overseas Chinese community and other VIP’s from all walks of life, including US officials, former Ambassadors of ROC allies, retired US diplomats, think tanks directors, China studies experts, the highest-ranking retired ROC military officer in the DC area, who all attended the event. Furthermore, in addition to Taiwan news media, Hong Kong and Japan international media were also in attendance for on-the-spot interviews and immediate broadcasting of their news reports.
