By Matthew Yu
former President of OCA

(Editor Note: This is Mr. Matthew Yu's speech at the opening of "Echoes of Celebration - Presented by New Shanghai Circus & Kaifen Acrobatic Troupe" on Oct. 3rd , 2004 at Touhill Performing Arts Center, University Of Missouri - St. Louis. The 1904 World's Fair held in St. Louis one hundred years ago brought the world to St. Louis. One hundred years later, the Chinese American community once again brought the best of Chinese acrobats to St. Louis for one incredible show that took audience on a two-hour thrill ride of ancient Chinese acrobatic art of strength, agility, beauty, and grace. More than 40 performers from two acrobatic troupes performed gravity defying and humanly impossible acts that have won first place awards in the International Brotherhood of Magicians competition and the prestigious International Acrobatic Competition in Paris October 11, 2003. St. Louis witnesses the world class, graceful, and beautiful acrobats from southern China on stage with the kung-fu fighting, agile, and thrilling acrobats from northern China.)

The Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904 was by all accounts the most beautiful, educational and exciting of all the international exhibitions of global culture ever presented. The world was at peace and technology promised a future beyond all imagination. 62 nations and 43 states brought their treasures and their civilizations to St. Louis to display and demonstrate humanity's advancements since the Louisiana Purchase. Opened on April 30, 1904, 5. The Exposition site covered 1,240 acres, 4 times larger than the Paris Expo in 1900. It was the largest fair ever held.

In 1904, Our President was Theodore Roosevelt. Population of the United States was 82,166,000. New York City subway opened.

It was the Chinese government's first official participation in the World's Fair.

The first visit to the United States by a member of the Chinese royal family. Prince Pu Lun, the 29-year-old nephew of the emperor, was the Imperial High Commissioner.

The Chinese Pavilion covered 34,000 sq. ft. More than 1400 tons of exhibit materials were shipped to St. Louis.

"The greater the interest of the Americans taken in China, the greater the prosperity and future security of our countries will be", said Prince Pu Lun.

Treatments received by Chinese:

In the Spring of 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Chester Arthur. As the result of Chinese Exclusion Acts in 1882, discriminations toward Chinese were wide spread in the 1904 World's Fair:

Many legitimate merchants representing China were harassed or detained in San Francisco.

Merchants had to post five hundred dollars' worth of gold in bond.

Merchants had to report to authority every 48 hours, minutely detailing their activities.

Finally, the United States Congress repealed the Chinese Exclusion Acts, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt, in 1943, given a quota of 105 a year for Chinese to legally become citizens of United States. For 61 years, Chinese were prohibited to immigrate to this country. Let me have few words with the youngsters of Chinese descends. You need to know your history. You need to know how hard our ancestors struggled in this country. Their struggles were not in vain. Today's United States is not the same country 100 years ago. This country has afforded us equal opportunities and freedom to achieve whatever your ability may take you. So seize your opportunities and pave a brighter future for generations to come.

Today, the Chinese American community is a vibrant community. I will give you more details about the Chinese American community later. I would like to first ask the host of today's event, the Organization of Chinese Americans, St. Louis Chapter president, Jason Tang to say few words to us.

I would like to introduce our community to you.

1. We have more than 30,000 Chinese Americans living in the St. Louis area. They are in all walks of life. They are your neighbors, co-workers, teachers, students, and friends.

2. Two community newspapers with a weekly circulation of 8,000 copies.

3. Five major organizations: The Organization of Chinese Americans with her headquarters in Washington D.C., the St. Louis Chinese Association, the St. Louis Chinese Culture Association, the Asian American Business Association, and the St. Louis Culture and Education Service. I would also like to acknowledge the Young Organization of Chinese Americans, YOCA.

4. Three Chinese Language Schools. They each hold classes every Sunday afternoon for 3 hours to teach our youngsters the Chinese language and culture. Each school also has classes to teach non-Chinese speaking people in Chinese conservation and culture.

5. We have 6 Chinese Evangelical Christian Churches and 1 Buddhist Center.

6. Annually, the local Chinese community hosts a science and technology conference. This conference is organized by the Midwest Chinese American Science and Technology Association.

7. A year ago, The St. Louis Christian Chinese Community Service Center opened its door. The community center is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the well-being of the Chinese and also the Asian community at large in Greater St. Louis through health and social services.

As you can see, the St. Louis Chinese American community is a strong, vibrant and progressive community. We will continue to work with other community leaders to build a brighter and better St. Louis. For the very reason, the Organization of Chinese Americans brought this wonderful show before you. OCA, St. Louis website is www.oca-stl.org. Feel free to contact us.