Double Tenth Celebration: Commemorating Asia’s First Democratic Republic (Taiwan)
By John Chin
January 2, 2000

Recently, two successful events were held to commemorate the 89^th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). In 1912 on October 10^th, the Republic of China, Asia’s first democratic republic, was founded by Dr. Sun Yat Sen who led the Chinese movement that overthrew the Ching dynasty.

The Double Tenth Celebration Committee of Colorado, led by J. Wey Chen, Ph.D, chair, Lily Shen, vice chair/secretary and Tong Heng, treasurer, held a formal dinner on Friday, October 6^th at the Hilton South, Denver Tech. On Tuesday, October 10^th, the committee sponsored the Hua-Hsia Performing Troupe, an internationally renowned Chinese theatrical ensemble, at the Loretta Height University Theater.

The well-attended Friday dinner was a festive occasion. The dinner began with the traditional Lion Dance by Mr. Ming-der Liu and company of the Denver Chinese Culture Center of Colorado. The opening ceremony was a presentation of colors, both the Republic of China and United States flags by the Colorado Chinese Language School students Ms.Ada Lee and Ms. Shanling Yang. This was followed by the singing of the national anthems by Ms. Lin Sun and Mr. Lawrence Loh.

Following dinner, Director General Elizabeth Chu, Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Kansas City, warmly received the assembled group. Dr. J. Wey Chen presented Ms. Chu, on behalf of the Double Tenth Celebration Committee of Colorado, a certificate of appreciation for her continuing efforts and support of Colorado’s Chinese community.

This Double Tenth Celebration dinner was honored by a large number of local dignitaries. Participants included Joe Rogers, Colorado Lieutenant Governor; Ms. Mary Lou Makepeace, Mayor, Colorado Springs; Mr. Paul Tauer, Mayor, Aurora; Mr. Stephen Burkholder, Mayor, Lakewood; Dr. Hank Brown, President, University of Northern Colorado; Dr. Hai Bui, representative of Governor Bill Owens; Mr. Tom Migaki; representative, Mayor Wellington Webb, Denver; and Mr. Ed Tauer, City Council, Aurora. In addition, members of the Governor’s Asian Pacific American Advisory Council (John Chin, Daniel Oh, Peter Lee, Sum Nguyen, Suegie Park, Donna Lavigne, Ba Vovan and Nestor Mercado) were in attendance. Representatives for Degette, Shaffer and Udall of Colorado’s Congressional delegation were also at the dinner.

Ms. Sue Wang was emcee. Ms. Nai-lee Yee, Ms. Yu-tai Guo and Ms. Annick Chen were program directors. Corporate Sponsors included Coors Brewery Company, Premier Bank, State Farm Insurance Companies, and Wells Fargo Bank West, N.A.

On the following Tuesday after the formal dinner, the Hua-Hsia Performing Troupe continued the Double Tenth celebration at the Loretta Heights University Theater. The troupe consists of 14 professional performers from Taiwan. In the two-hour celebration, the Hua-Hsia performers did a wide array of traditional and modern Chinese acts including Chinese opera, popular songs (in Cantonese and Hakka), Kung Fu, and dance.

Legend of Photos

John Chin is President of the Organization of Chinese Americans, Denver chapter. OCA is dedicated to "embracing the hopes and aspirations of Chinese and Asian Pacific Americans in the United States." Founded in 1973, OCA has 81 chapters and affiliates. OCA maintains its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The next OCA event will be the Chinese New Year Banquet, held jointly with the Japanese American Citizens League, on Saturday, February 3^rd at 6 PM at the Palace Chinese Restaurant. Please contact Benny Cheng at bcheng888@aol.com or (303) 791-1211 for more information on tickets. The OCA Denver Annual meeting will be on Sunday, February 4^th also at the Palace Chinese Restaurant. For more on OCA, go to http://www.ocanatl.org.