To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rhode Island Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival, held in the State of Rhode Island in the US, a presentation ceremony was held on April 17. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) and Taiwanese business groups gave six dragon boats as gifts to Rhode Island to celebrate the event. Accompanied by Chairman Louis Yip of Rhode Island Association of Chinese Americans and President Sunny Tze Ping Ng of Rhode Island Association of Chinese Americans, the Deputy Governor of the State of Rhode Island Daniel McKee visited Taiwan to attend the ceremony, in which Deputy Minister Szu-chien Hsu of MOFA, Vice Minister Roy Yuan-Rong Leu of OCAC, and representatives of other donating enterprises also attended.
OCAC Vice Minister Leu attended the ceremony on behalf of OCAC Minster Wu Hsin-hsing. He first gave the delegation a warm welcome; then he thanked overseas community leaders and private domestic enterprises for supporting Taiwan-US cultural exchange. He pointed out that the dragon boat that the OCAC gave is named “Formosa”, meaning “ beautiful island.” It symbolizes not only the diverse culture of Taiwan but also its warm and hospitable people. He further said that he hopes the dragon boat races can be a model for Taiwan-US cultural exchange, and at the same time, represent the permanent friendship between the people of the two countries.
Deputy Governor Daniel McKee pointed out that this year is not just the 20th anniversary of the Rhode Island Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival, it also marks the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. It shows that the partnership between the governments and people of Taiwan and the US is strong and solid.
The Rhode Island Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival is in its 20th year this year. Each year, on the day of the dragon boat races, cultural and culinary events will also be held. The festival features Taiwanese cultural performances and food activities, providing more than 190,000 residents of Rhode Island with an opportunity to know Taiwan better.
