Coloradans Celebrate Taiwan

October 6, 2018 by Lynn Bartels

Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams, Congressman Mike Coffman and others gathered Friday night in Denver to celebrate Double Ten Day commemorating the events that led to the creation of Taiwan, America’s close friend and ally.

“The United States has been, is and will always be Taiwan’s closest partner,” said Director General Jerry Chang, with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver.

When his assistant, Shirley Chang, who is no relation, introduced the secretary of state she got a laugh from the crowd. She called Williams “our good friend” and said he was “most popular.”

Williams mentioned his visit to Taiwan a year ago, and how impressed he was with the nation.

“Taiwan is an example of the type of leadership and freedom that we all seek throughout the world,” he said.

As he does every year, Congressman Coffman, whose mother was from China, electrified the crowd by speaking Chinese when he opened his remarks. He noted the number of people born in Taiwan or with ties to the country who live in his congressional district east of Denver.

“Those living in Colorado bring a wealth of knowledge and entrepreneurial energy to our community. The United States and Taiwan enjoy a long-standing relationship that stems from our shared values: democracy, the rule of law, and a respect for the free-enterprise system,” Coffman said.