Renowned venture capitalist and permanent honorary chairman of the API Coalition, Wei Ren Zhu, recalls a flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong last November. Seated next to him was Chyanne Chen, a candidate for the District 11 City Council. Although they had previously met at different events, this was their first opportunity for an in-depth conversation. Zhu remarked, “Chyanne truly cares about the community and has a strong focus on equity in educational resources. She is a trustworthy candidate.”
On the morning of the 26th, Chyanne Chen held a voter encouragement event outside the Excelsior Library in San Francisco, inviting Chinese voters to participate. Among the attendees were Haipei Xue, the president of the U.S. Chinese Alliance, Wei Ren Zhu, former president of the Xin Xin Education Foundation, and numerous Chinese voters who came out to show their support.
Chen reflected on her flight experience last November, noting she was in economy class alongside Zhu. “What a small world it is,” she said, recalling how Zhu spent the flight reading and continuing his community work. “It’s impressive that such a capable individual chooses to fly economy. I believe that one can serve the community anywhere, but Zhu’s encouragement to step up was a significant factor in my decision to run.”
Zhu noted that he had seen Chen previously at API Coalition meetings, and their conversation during the flight deepened his appreciation for her qualities. “She advocates for unions, fights for the underserved, and is committed to ensuring equitable resource allocation in school districts. She continuously seeks to enhance her own learning and displays strong leadership skills.”
Haipei Xue praised Chen for her lifelong preparation, gaining experience from grassroots organizations and non-profits. “Chinese Americans make up 20% of San Francisco, and they are closely watching the elections because it directly impacts their interests. We hope to elect someone like her to lead our city.”
Yuhong Ying, owner of the Spring Garden Seafood and Ginseng Store on District 11, described Chen as down-to-earth and approachable. He recounted how his shop faced a potential issue with awning permits and fines from the city. Chen stepped in to mediate, offering solutions that resolved the problem and has since encouraged customers to visit his shop.
Yuhong was moved by Chen’s genuine support and volunteered to help her campaign. His shop attracts many Chinese customers, and he regularly asks them if they are registered to vote, successfully encouraging several individuals to register. He helps seniors who have never registered to vote and rekindles the voting interest of those who hadn’t voted in years. “She has lived in District 11 for over 20 years, understands the community well, and her political platform resonates with our hopes for safety and well-being. We need someone like her to voice our concerns.”
