Taiwan Today
Date:: April 22, 2019

President Tsai Ing-wen (center) is joined by Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (fourth right), novelist Chung Chao-cheng (seated) and other officials in giving the thumbs-up at the launch of a culture park dedicated to the Hakka writer April 20 in the northern Taiwan city. (CNA)

President Tsai Ing-wen said April 20 that the government is making significant progress in strengthening Hakka culture and ethnic diversity in Taiwan.

It remains a top priority of the government to keep revitalizing Hakka culture while safeguarding the language and heritage of Taiwan’s minority groups, Tsai said. This is being achieved under relevant legislation designating the Hakka tongue as a national language and ensuring it is taught in schools, as well as establishing radio stations, she added.

Equally important are three projects aimed at developing a special industry based on promoting Hakka culture, tourism and traditions, Tsai said, adding that they are transforming three regions with large Hakka populations in northern, southern and eastern Taiwan.

Tsai made the remarks during the launch ceremony of a Hakka culture park dedicated to renowned novelist Chung Chao-cheng in Taoyuan City, northern Taiwan. The 95-year-old Chung is considered a trailblazer in Taiwan literature for daring to produce texts containing strong local elements during the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945).
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