By love-89.com In an engaging interview, prominent Bay Area venture capitalist and lifelong honorary chairman of the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, Wei-Jin Zhu, shared his first significant conversation with Chyanne Chen, a candidate for the San Francisco District 11 City Council. The two met last November on a flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong, where Zhu recalled, “I had known her from other events, but that was our first real chat. Chyanne is deeply concerned about the community and remains focused on issues of equitable resources for schools. She is a trustworthy candidate.”
On the morning of October 26, Chen organized a rally outside the Excelsior Library in San Francisco to encourage the local Chinese community to vote. She was joined by U.S. Chinese Alliance President Hai-Pei Hsueh, Wei-Jin Zhu, former president of the Xinxin Education Foundation Wenhe Yuan, and many enthusiastic voters.
Reflecting on that memorable flight, Chen noted that she was seated in economy class and said, “It’s a small world; I sat next to Wei-Jin Zhu. He was reading and dedicated to learning, always giving back to the community. It’s inspiring that someone so capable chooses to fly economy. I’ve always believed that you can serve the public anywhere, and his encouragement to step forward was one of the reasons I decided to run.”
Zhu elaborated on their earlier encounters, mentioning that he had met Chen at a meeting for the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition. Their conversation on the flight deepened his admiration for her. He stated, “She advocates for unions and fights for the rights of vulnerable groups, addressing concerns over equitable resource distribution in school districts. She is constantly learning and has demonstrated true leadership skills.”
Hai-Pei Hsueh praised Chen for dedicating her life to preparation and grass-roots work, stating, “District 11 has a Chinese population of around 20%, and the entire national Chinese community is watching this election closely since it directly impacts our interests. We hope to elect someone like her to lead our city.”
Yuhong Ying, owner of Spring Seafood Restaurant in District 11, described Chen as down-to-earth and approachable. He recounted an incident where his restaurant faced issues with an awning and potential fines from the city. When Chen learned of this, she actively intervened, providing advice that successfully resolved the situation and frequently brought customers to his restaurant.
Yuhong, moved by Chen’s genuine support, has volunteered to assist her campaign. He frequently asks his Chinese customers if they are registered voters and encourages them to participate in the election. To date, he has persuaded over a dozen individuals to register, including some seniors who had never registered before. He stated, “Chyanne has lived in District 11 for over 20 years and knows the community well. Her political platform is excellent, focusing on safety and well-being, which aligns with the expectations of the Chinese community. We need someone like her to voice our concerns.”