ASU embraces Taiwanese community at West campus Double Ten celebration

As construction of the new $12 billion Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company factory in north Phoenix is underway and set to begin chip production in 2024, the Phoenix metro area welcomes thousands of new jobs, as well as a burgeoning Taiwanese community.

Just 8 miles south of the new TSMC facility is Arizona State University’s West campus, home to the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. On Oct. 8, in partnership with Phoenix Sister Cities, the community was invited to a celebration of Double Ten Day — Taiwan’s national holiday.

Double Ten commemorates the beginning of the Wuchang Uprising in China on October 10, 1911, and is celebrated annually by thousands at Taiwan’s capital with large parades, dancing, music and fireworks. 

“Considering West campus is in such close proximity to the new TSMC facility in north Phoenix, we are eager to welcome and embrace our neighbors from the Taiwanese community,” said Todd Sandrin, dean of New College and vice provost of ASU's West campus. 

“We are grateful to have partnered with Phoenix Sister Cities and other distinguished community leaders for this incredibly vibrant cultural celebration. We look forward to strengthening this relationship for many years to come as we work to even more fully realize ASU's design principles of leveraging our place and being socially embedded across the West Valley and far beyond.”

The event was free and open to the public, as well as ASU students, faculty and staff, and included a night market with food and craft vendors, activities for all ages, cultural performances and dances, and more. The evening concluded with a fireworks display, a hallmark of Double Ten festivities. 

At the event, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego shared remarks about the city’s long standing partnership with Taipei, Taiwan, and encouraged Phoenicians to continue to grow friendships, business relations and cultural connections with Taiwan. On behalf of the city of Phoenix, Gallego also formally recognized Oct. 7–10 as the city's annual Double Ten Day celebration.

"With the arrival of TSMC, Bank of Taiwan, Sunlit and many additional supply chain companies, our city is strengthened by the booming Taiwanese community in Phoenix and the friendship of the Taiwanese people. Phoenix is well-positioned to care for these new residents and businesses, thanks to academic and economic partners, including ASU," Gallego said.

"Our work with ASU is providing solutions to address the high demand for advanced manufacturing talent. Training on state-of-the-art equipment is critical for technology jobs, especially in semiconductor chips manufacturing. ASU is a key partner elevating the Phoenix region’s competitiveness in attracting companies and delivering the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.

The event was attended by nearly 700 community members. Moving forward, ASU intends to hold this event annually. 

“The city’s first annual celebration of Double Ten Day was an incredible success," said Councilwoman Ann O'Brien, who represents District 1 in north Phoenix. "Hundreds of people from all different backgrounds came to learn and celebrate with the Taiwanese community. As our Taiwanese community grows in population in north Phoenix, it is so important to hold cultural events like this to welcome our new residents and to open the world to our current residents.”