Greater Vancouver Taiwanese Association Marks 60 Years, 'Passing the Torch' of Overseas Democracy Movement

(Central News Agency reporter Cheng Ai-fen, Vancouver, 2nd) This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Greater Vancouver Taiwanese Canadian Association. The association has published a special issue and a documentary, chronicling the association's six-decade development of Taiwan's overseas democracy movement, and also celebrating the younger generation taking over the torch of heritage.

On a sunny day in May, several veteran figures of the Greater Vancouver Taiwanese Canadian Association gathered together for a rare reunion. They visited the UBC International House, the birthplace of the association in 1966, to reminisce about the background of its founding.

Liu Ming-hsien, a founding member who served as president in 1967, said that at the time, a group of overseas students studied and worked hard together, and missed Taiwan together. They founded the Greater Vancouver Taiwanese Canadian Association with the idea of supporting each other, not only for mutual physical and mental care but also to contribute to Taiwan's democratic future.

However, those involved in the association at the time were all placed on a 'blacklist' and were unable to return to Taiwan for a long time.

Hsu Chien-li, who served as president in 1976, said: 'A friend was going back to Taiwan and asked if there was anything I needed brought over. I said, "Bring me some soil from Taiwan." Later, I kept that soil in an incense burner. Whenever I missed my hometown, I would hold it. That soil is still there to this day.'

Lin Jen-sen, who served as president in 1974, recalled that when the Kaohsiung Incident (Formosa Incident) occurred in 1979, they were all very concerned in Vancouver and quickly used the public phone in the dormitory to call Taiwan. 'Shih Ming-teh on the other end of the line said they were surrounded, and we were extremely anxious. Then we actively explained the situation in Taiwan to the Canadian media, hoping the world would know that Taiwanese democracy advocates were being persecuted.'

The pioneering hardships endured by the first generation of the association have profoundly inspired the next generation who took on the heavy responsibilities. Individuals like Chen Wei-chen, Chiang Hsu-shan, Pa Ju-yu, Chen Ssu-han, and Huang Fei-lin all immigrated to Vancouver with their parents at a young age, gradually got to know the association, took on leadership roles, and further connected the association with mainstream society.

They all say the association is like a big family, helping them maintain a close connection with Taiwan and explore their personal identity. They are also helping their own children volunteer at the association, learn communication and leadership skills, and understand Taiwan's customs and culture.

Yanxiang, a young man who immigrated to Vancouver just two years ago, also joined the association. This time, he and several like-minded young partners helped the association produce the 60th-anniversary documentary.

Chang Yu-wen, a former association president and one of the editorial committee members for the commemorative special issue 'Passing the Torch,' said that the association's six decades are incredibly rich, and the passing of the torch has always been an ongoing process, never ceasing.

Current President Wu Ching-kuei and Secretary-General Fang Shih-ling both said: 'We want to use the power of the association to let Canadians know who we are. Taiwan is the best.'

Yanxiang recalled that during the documentary filming, Wu Ching-kuei one day spontaneously pinned a lily brooch, symbolizing the February 28 Incident commemoration, onto his chest, which gave him a start. 'I was very moved. Even though she didn't say much, I knew she hoped that our generation of young people would take on the heavy responsibility and continue to fight for Taiwan's democracy.' (Editor: Tang Shengyang) 1150603