California's San José proclaims Oct. 25 as 'Taiwanese Day'

San Francisco, Oct. 24 (CNA) San José, California's third-largest city, on Friday proclaimed Oct. 25 as "Taiwanese Day" to honor the contributions of Taiwanese communities and recognize their role in restoring Overfelt Park's Chinese Cultural Garden.

A flag-raising ceremony displaying the national flags of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the United States was held at the San José City Hall plaza, attended by Taiwanese expatriates and various officials including Councilmember Peter Ortiz.

"Today, with pride and joy, we proclaim the Republic of China, Taiwanese Day -- a day that honors the contributions of Taiwanese communities and celebrates the deep bonds that unite us all," Ortiz said in his celebratory speech.

The councilmember, who represents District 5 in East San José, thanked the nonprofit Sino American Heritage Foundation for launching a fundraising campaign to restore the Chinese Cultural Garden to its former beauty.

The proclamation of "Taiwanese Day" was made to recognize the foundation's efforts, with the San José City Council set to formally issue the designation on Oct. 28.

According to the foundation, the garden, established in the 1970s, has deteriorated over the years due to wear and tear, insufficient maintenance and recent acts of vandalism. Without immediate action, the city risks losing this invaluable landmark, which embodies the spirit and contributions of the local community.

Commenting on shared values of respect, inclusivity, and community, Ortiz said, "Events like this remind us that diversity is our strength, and when we embrace our many backgrounds, we build a stronger and more compassionate society for everyone."

The ceremony was also attended by Chu Yung-chang (朱永昌), deputy head of Taiwan's representative office in San Francisco, and David Lin (林大銳), the foundation's chairman.

In his remarks, Chu described San José as the heart of Silicon Valley and home to many Taiwanese Americans, and praised its sister-city relationship with Tainan, one of Taiwan's oldest cities and now known as the "cultural capital of Taiwan."

Meanwhile, Lin said "Taiwanese Day" reflects the long-standing friendship between Taiwan and San José and recognizes the Taiwanese American community's important contributions to the city's culture and diversity.