2019 Convention for Overseas Compatriots in Central and South America

2019 Convention for Overseas Compatriots in Central and South America was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, during the 15th to 17th of November, 2019. There were 125 people from 9 countries to participate in the convention and they reached many consensuses, such as expressing the opinion of Taiwanese internationally, cultivating the youth generations and developing the Overseas Compatriots associations in Central and South America sustainably.

Wu, Hsin-hsing, the Minister of Overseas Community Affairs Council, participated in the whole convention, appreciated the efforts of all participants, and expressed the governmental concern for overseas compatriots and entrepreneurs. On the evening of the 15th of November, Her, Jian-gueng, the Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Brazil, treated all participants with a feast.

During the opening ceremony of the 16th of November, Wu, Hsin-hsing mentioned that the changing structures of overseas communities, lacking of new generations involved in overseas community affairs, and the pressure from Mainland China would be the future challenges of overseas community affairs. He appreciated that the overseas compatriots, regardless of distance, would never alienate themselves from Taiwan due to the spirit of "Living in foreign countries while keeping Taiwan in mind." He also expected that the Convention for Overseas Compatriots in Central and South America would be the platform for exchanging the opinions among all the overseas compatriots living in Latin America.

Her, Jian-gueng said that "Overseas compatriots are our strongest supporters in the domain of people-to-people diplomacy, far beyond our imagination." Liu, Shie-lin, the Chairman of 2019 Convention for Overseas Compatriots in Central and South America, thanked Chuang, Suo-hang, the Vice Chairman of Taiwan External Trade Development Council, and Chang, Tsung-che, the Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sao Paulo, for being the speakers of keynote speech which focused on the China–United States trade war and the early Taiwanese immigrants in Brazil.

During the comprehensive forum of the 16th of November, the participants from every country inquired about returning to Taiwan for studying, the inheritance of different generations within overseas communities, and the emergency assistance, etc. Wu, Hsin-hsing, Her, Jian-gueng and Chang, Tsung-che replied each inquiry in detail. During the comprehensive discussion, all the participants confirmed the contents of Joint Statement and Saluting Message to President, and then elected Argentina to be the next host country. Handover of the convention flag was conducted in the closing ceremony.

Overseas Community Affairs Council arranged karaoke and Samba performance in the farewell party of the 16th of November, which impressed all the participants a lot.

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