The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, Republic of China (Taiwan), supervises the Overseas Compatriot Affairs in the Midwest. The service area covers seven states including Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Taiwanese compatriots in the Midwest primarily live in Chicago, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Madison.
The Structure of the Overseas Compatriot Community
There are about 200 overseas compatriot organizations in the Midwest with the largest number in Chicago and the second in Detroit. These organizations can be categorized as liaison, chamber of commerce, clan, district, seniors, alumni, professionals and art groups. The more influential overseas compatriot communities include Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Taiwan Benevolent Association, Hakka Association, and Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce.
Overseas Compatriot Culture and Education
There are about 30 overseas compatriot schools in the Midwest. The school under the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Chicago in Chinatown is the only Chinese school organized by the traditional overseas Chinese community and offers courses taught in Cantonese. Other schools teach Mandarin. The overseas compatriot education organizations - such as the Midwest Chinese Language Schools Association, Michigan Chinese Educators Association, and Midwest Mainstream Teachers Association - promote cultural activities and digital teaching. The regional overseas compatriot schools not only offer Mandarin language curriculum but also organize small cultural and educational activities.
Overseas Compatriot Economy and Trade
The Midwest is an important agricultural and industrial area for the United States. Most Taiwanese immigrants in this area have scientific or medical expertise and serve as engineers, physicians, accountants, or academics. Currently there are four chamber of commerce organizations: the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Chicago, the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Great Detroit, the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women Chicago Chapter and Chicago Chinese Trader Association. As for the traditional overseas compatriot community, most of them run restaurants or small retail businesses.
In order to provide diverse services to the Midwest overseas compatriots, the Taipei Economic and the Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago and the Culture Center of TECO in Chicago not only actively assist with and participate in activities organized by the overseas compatriot community, but also provide custom-made services to meet their needs. Please visit the related websites for detailed information.
Update Date:
2023/11/15 Back