Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) flag raising ceremony to celebrate National Day


CCBA held a flag-raising ceremony on July 4th to celebrate the 245th anniversary of the United States Independence Day. The Los Angeles Chinatown Veterans Chapter 628 and the Chung Hwa Color Guard jointly acted as flag-raisers for both the American flag and the Republic of China flag. Afterwards, everyone went to the Central Plaza for the flower offering to the bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.


The flag-raising ceremony began at 11 a.m. with everyone saluted solemnly and quietly. Chung Hwa Color Guard director Lucy Shen led the singing of the American national anthem, and Yang Zhennan led the singing of the national anthem of the Republic of China. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, CCBA could not hold the annual National Day flag-raising activity last year. Now that the pandemic has slowed down and California is fully open, it is finally possible to gather and pay tribute to the flags of the United States and the Republic of China with patriotic feelings.


CCBA President Mei Lau pointed out that the United States and other countries in the world have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus in the past year, with a large number of deaths. Fortunately, the United States provided timely vaccinations for the people, which greatly eased the pandemic and reduced mortality. Now that the pandemic is getting worse in Taiwan, she hoped the US government will continue to help in providing more vaccines to Taiwan, so that the people can return to normal life as soon as possible.


Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles Director General Louis Huang said that Independence Day celebration is of special significance, just like President Biden’s hope that the entire United States will be independent from the pandemic today.


Southern California Chinese College Alumni Association President Guo Wenbin said, "Every time I hear the American national anthem and the Republic of China national anthem, I am so very excited. Besides the birthplace, United States is our second hometown. We study and work here, get married, and start a family. It has been closely integrated with our lives. Today we are celebrating the 245th anniversary of the United States Independence Day. We have witnessed the friendship cooperation between Taiwan and the United States this year. This mutual support during the pandemic will continue bringing a closer cooperation in the future.”