On October 10, in celebration of the Double Tenth Day, the Chinese community in Manhattan held a flag-raising ceremony and parade organized by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) to honor the Republic of China’s 113th anniversary. This event was not only a display of respect and joy for the Republic but also aimed at promoting Chinese culture, fostering community solidarity, and showcasing the values of democracy and freedom to the broader society.
The festivities began with a flag-raising ceremony in front of the CCBA building on Mott Street. A large flag featuring the “Blue Sky, White Sun, and a Wholly Red Earth” design was raised to the tune of the national anthem, as representatives from various overseas Chinese groups and attendees sang along, watching the flag ascend with pride.
The CCBA building was adorned with banners emphasizing “Equality, Fraternity, Justice, and Peace,” as well as “Democracy, Freedom, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law,” with a “Long Live the Republic of China” banner situated prominently in between, attracting many onlookers. Once the flag reached the top of the building, everyone proceeded to Columbus Park to lay flowers at the statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Following the floral tribute, a celebration was held in the CCBA hall, where CCBA President Chao-jan Chu addressed the audience. He reflected on Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s passionate and hopeful speech delivered in New York in April 1911, where he called for the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty’s oppressive regime. He emphasized the need to “eradicate old practices and restore the glory of the Han people” and proclaimed the goal of establishing a republic in China where everyone could enjoy freedom and happiness.
Chu noted that the CCBA and the overseas Chinese community strongly supported the revolution at that time, which not only inspired the revolutionary movement but also laid the foundation for the unity of the community today. He stressed that since the founding of the Republic of China, the New York Chinese community has consistently upheld the principles of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. He reaffirmed their commitment to unwaveringly support the Republic of China against any challenges, ensuring that the values of freedom and democracy continue to shine in Taiwan and Asia.
In his remarks, Li Chih-chiang, the director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, expressed his emotions at witnessing his first flag-raising ceremony just three months into his tenure. He was moved to hear the national anthem sung by the diaspora. Li highlighted that Taiwan’s democracy is built upon the Three Principles of the People and the Five-Power Constitution proposed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, noting it as the only elected government among the three regions across the Taiwan Strait. He contrasted this with Hong Kong and Macau, which have been increasingly influenced by the Chinese Communist Party.
Attending the event were also Deputy Director Zhang Lih-hsien and Director Chen Yong-feng from the Overseas Community Affairs Council, along with representatives from seven major overseas Chinese organizations affiliated with the CCBA. The parade was divided into six groups, with the lead group including representatives from China Airlines and the New York Chinese Business Association.
Additionally, the overseas Chinese community in New Jersey held its own Double Tenth Day celebration on October 6, organized by the Chinese American Association of Northern New Jersey. The event included both an outdoor flag-raising ceremony and indoor festivities featuring dragon dances, lion dances, folk dances, diabolo performances, and a dance by the New Jersey Overseas Youth Cultural Ambassador Association (FASCA).
