2024 Fourth United Chinese Americans Conference Concludes Successfully in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C., July 1, 2024 – From June 27 to June 30, 2024, the fourth United Chinese Americans (UCA) Conference was held in Washington D.C. This year’s conference, themed “Embracing the New Civil Rights Movement,” attracted nearly 700 participants from across the United States. The event showcased the strength and voice of the Chinese American community and united their hopes and confidence for the future.
The first day featured the “AANHPI Congressional Advocacy Day,” co-hosted by UCA and APAPA, serving as a crucial platform for the Chinese American community to demonstrate its influence to legislative bodies. This year’s scale surpassed previous UCA-organized Congressional Days. Hundreds of participants, divided into over 50 visiting groups, successfully visited 283 congressional offices, representing more than half of the 425 House representatives. Each group detailed the issues facing the Chinese American community, focusing on real estate purchase restrictions for Chinese nationals, anti-Asian sentiments, and the inclusion of Asian American history in U.S. high school curricula.
During the Capitol Hill reception, Congresswoman Grace Meng thanked UCA and APAPA members for their participation and highlighted the importance of incorporating Asian American history into U.S. high school curricula. Texas Congressman Gene Wu emphasized the negative impacts of real estate purchase restrictions on Chinese Americans and called for the Asian American community to unite and engage in politics actively. California Congresswoman Judy Chu noted that current visa restrictions on Chinese students and scholars severely hinder academic and technological exchanges between China and the United States. New Jersey Congressman Andy Kim urged everyone to vote and participate in public affairs to secure more rights for the Asian American community.
The second and third days of the conference featured over 20 forums and more than 50 guests, providing attendees with engaging discussions and sharing sessions. At the opening ceremony, Erika L. Moritsugu, President Biden’s AAPI Affairs Commissioner, Congressmen Ted Lieu, and Gene Wu, and Maryland State Delegate Lily Qi were present to offer their congratulations. In his opening remarks, UCA President Haipei Shue addressed three unique challenges facing the Chinese American community: deteriorating US-China relations, worsening domestic political climate, and the new immigrant community’s lack of engagement in political and social life. He called for the community to unite, launch a new chapter in the Chinese American civil rights movement, and establish a nationwide coalition to tackle future challenges.
The conference included five themed sub-conferences focused on youth, mental health, AAPI political action, community building and civic engagement, and entrepreneurship and career development.
The National Youth Conference explored how to maintain and renew culture, heritage, and identity in America and discussed experiences in a multiracial democratic nation.
The Mental Health Summit focused on improving mental health services for the Chinese American community.
The AAPI Political Action Summit discussed best practices in managing and developing successful Political Action Committees (PACs) and IRS-approved C4 political organizations.
The Community Building and Civic Engagement Sub-conference discussed the importance of building harmonious communities in the current politically divided environment.
The Entrepreneurship and Career Development Sub-conference focused on career development and representation of Chinese Americans in government departments.
The highlight of the conference was the Awards Ceremony and Gala. Individuals and organizations with outstanding performance in community service and leadership were honored. Lani Wong received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her over 40 years of outstanding contributions to community service and leadership. The conference also held a memorial service for five late UCA participants and founders. The gala featured captivating performances by Chinese American rapper Alan Z and renowned comedian Joe Wong.
The final day featured a large-scale “Walk for Civil Rights, Walk for Our Rights” event on the National Mall to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Over 300 Chinese Americans walked from the World War II Memorial to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, then to the Lincoln Memorial, holding the American flag and UCA banner, paying tribute to the pioneers of the civil rights movement.
Through direct dialogues with congressional members and assistants, honest discussions with people of all races and backgrounds, multi-level exchanges with mental health experts and activists, and enthusiastic conversations with young people, the conference significantly boosted participants’ enthusiasm for political engagement and community building. Attendees expressed their deep inspiration and commitment to returning to their cities to work with UCA in building a warm, healthy, and supportive Chinese American community, advancing the development and progress of the Chinese American community and American society.
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Thank you very much! Your generous donation and investment makes sure UCA will continue to serve, lead and inspire our community by defending our civil rights, empowering our communities, preparing our next generation, and nurturing our culture, unique identity, and Chinese American way of life.
Other ways to donate to UCA:
1. Bank direct transfer: Zelle: Treasurer@ucausa.org. Please provide your email address when donating via Zelle.
2. Check donation: Make check payable to United Chinese Americans (UCA) and mail the check to: 1050 Connecticut Ave NW. Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036. Please write your email on the memo line of your check.
3. Wire transfer using following UCA Bank Account Details: Account Name: United Chinese Americans Inc (UCA); Routing Number: 054001204 (paper & electronic); 026009593 (wires); Account Number 226001059957; Bank Name: Bank of America. Point of Contact: Yinong Shen, treasurer@ucausa.org ; Ray Liang, ED, ray.laing@ucausa.org; Haipei Shue, President, haipei.shue@ucausa.org
4. Donation through company match program: https://causes.benevity.org/causesapp/dashboard/840-821111498
Any questions? Contact Yinong Shen, Treasurer UCA, treasurer@ucausa.org
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