城市青年網絡- OVERLAPPED＠華府、洛杉磯
由海華文教基金會發起的OVERLAPPED行動方案，於27日上午舉辦OVERLAPPED＠City Host Kick-off (城市青年網絡啟動)，串連美國東、西、南部各大城市青年，有別於商會、青商組織，主要將軟性內容，帶入當地之臺裔、在地社群，例如文化體驗、生活風格、傳統美食…等。透過線上、線下活動，提升美國社會大眾對臺灣的好感度與支持度，透過文化軟實力及多元生活型態來增進彼此認識。
City Host創始成員中，代表休士頓的臺灣同鄉會會長、文化導覽老師陳逸玲指出：今年五月辦理的Taiwan Yes(臺灣夜市)，光是“炸彈蔥油餅”(爆漿級)，就瘋狂賣出1,200份，深受當地喜愛。代表華府的MGY(免譏歪)執行長、Taiwan Fun創辦人李欣怡則認為：疫情後全球都很”鬱卒“，要用歡樂的party氛圍讓大家解悶，自然地帶入臺灣元素，創造國際間對臺灣更清楚的文化辨識，如端午節不只有划龍舟，還有「端午石戰」(Rock Fight)。
成員還包含代表西雅圖的臺灣同鄉會會長、愛睏娛樂創辦人林奕宏、TACL會長Wellington Tzou(亞特蘭大)，代表紐約的音樂家，也是新亞室內樂協會共同創辦人兼藝術總監林維洋，以中提琴、二胡做即興線上演奏，大家為南加州教會槍案事件追思鄭達志醫師及為傷者祈福。與會貴賓「臺美好朋友南加州工作群組」召集人張珮鑾表示：她的親友近距離目睹了鄭達志醫師的義勇行為，臺灣在國際間需要透過文化面向，讓人與人之間更相互理解、包容，消除仇恨與對立。常駐紐約的農業科技應用Agrolly app創辦人蔡德怡、雲海嚴選創辦人Lillian Lin亦出席會議。
海華文教基金會執行長李欣龍表示：OVERLAPPED的整體概念就如同“多重宇宙”(multiverse)，跨越時空領域，匯聚民間各界專業，以生活文化面向，走進美國主流社會，發揮第一線之公眾外交。
城市青年網絡- OVERLAPPED＠紐約、亞特蘭大、休士頓、西雅圖
中提琴演奏家林維洋線上演奏，全體追思鄭達志醫師及為傷者祈福
The OVERLAPPED action plan, initiated by the Hai-Hua Foundation, held the "OVERLAPPED@City Host Kick-off" on the morning of the 27th. This initiative connects youth from major cities in the Eastern, Western, and Southern United States. Distinguishing itself from chambers of commerce or junior chambers, it focuses on integrating "soft content"—such as cultural experiences, lifestyle, and traditional cuisine—into local Taiwanese-American and community circles. Through both online and offline activities, the project aims to enhance the American public’s favorability and support for Taiwan, fostering mutual understanding through cultural soft power and diverse lifestyles.
Among the founding members of City Host, Yi-Ling Chen—President of the Taiwan Association of Houston and a cultural tour guide—pointed out that during the "Taiwan Yes" (Taiwan Night Market) event held this May, their "Bomb Scallion Pancakes" (with bursting fillings) sold a staggering 1,200 servings, proving a massive hit with locals. Representing Washington D.C., MGY CEO and Taiwan Fun founder Shinyi Lee noted that the world has felt "depressed" post-pandemic; she believes in using a joyful party atmosphere to lift spirits. By naturally introducing Taiwanese elements, the goal is to create clearer international cultural recognition for Taiwan—for example, showing that the Dragon Boat Festival features not just boat racing, but also the "Dragon Boat Rock Fight."
Other members include Yi-Hong Lin, President of the Taiwan Association of Seattle and founder of Aikun Entertainment; Wellington Tzou, President of TACL (Atlanta); and Wei-Yang Andy Lin, a New York-based musician and co-founder/artistic director of the New Asia Chamber Music Society. During the meeting, Lin performed an online improvisation on the viola and erhu as members held a memorial for Dr. John Cheng and prayed for the injured following the Southern California church shooting. Guest attendee Pei-Luan Chang, convener of the "Taiwan-US Good Friends Southern California Working Group," shared that her relatives witnessed Dr. Cheng’s heroic sacrifice firsthand. She emphasized that Taiwan needs to utilize cultural dimensions to foster mutual understanding and tolerance, thereby eliminating hatred and confrontation. Also in attendance were New York-based Agrolly app founder Manoela Chen (Te-Yi Tsai) and Lillian Lin, founder of Yun Hai Taiwanese Specialties.
Shin-Lung (Sean) Lee, CEO of the Hai-Hua Foundation, stated that the core concept of OVERLAPPED is like a "multiverse," transcending time and space to gather professionals from various sectors of civil society. By engaging the American mainstream through lifestyle and culture, the initiative serves as a front-line force for public diplomacy.
