Press Release: Ma Announces Hakka Policy on Campaign Trail to Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miao li

Press Release

Ma Announces Hakka Policy on Campaign Trail to Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli

Sources: Ma Ying-jeou Office Sept. 26, 2007

On September 25, KMT Presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou started his campaign trail to the Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miao Li areas. In the company of Hsinchu County Executive Cheng Yung-chin, Ma visited Yimin Temple (Hsinpu, Hsinchu County) as the first stop and gave away pineapple cakes to Hakka folks to wish them a happy Moon Festival.

Later on, Ma announced his Hakka policy: “ Hakka Culture and Language Require Both Continuity and Innovation”; He intended to promote:

1.Development of Hakka-Characteristic Industries
Hakka culture industry must merge with urban development, architecture, arts, design and Hakka professionals in these fields. Hakka culture villages should be built utilizing the “Recreation Fund for Farm Villages”, or the “Development Fund for Tourism Industry”, so as to increase the economic and tourism benefits for Hakka culture industry.

2.Establishment of “Hakka Culture Development Zones”
Set up “Hakka Culture Development Zones” in counties, cities or townships where Hakka account for over 40% of the population. In these zones Hakka will be taught as a mother tongue in elementary schools and its use encouraged on public occasions so as to elevate the status of Hakka language.

The central government will subsidize, on a case-by-base basis, the establishment of Hakka-characteristic communities to maintain and refurbish historic spots and architecture, to help preserve culture, and to reinforce the education, dissemination and promotion of Hakka language and culture.

3.Establishment of the “Functional Language” system
In the “Hakka Culture Development Zones”, the Hakka language will be made “functional language”, which can be used for all public functions. Government agencies shall hire Hakka language interpreters. Elementary and secondary schools shall increase instruction hours for Hakka language.


4.Establishment of the “Hakka Language Heritage Instructors” system
In reference to the “social worker” system, the government will subsidize the establishment of a “Hakka Language Heritage Instructors” system to provide guidance to local Hakka families and elementary and secondary schools on passing down the Hakka language. The “Hakka Language Heritage Instructors” system will also offer teaching aids based on age and grade to local Hakka families.

5.Establishment of a National Hakka Radio Network
Utilize the Formosa Network or Music Network of the Broadcasting Corporation of China, which will be returned to the state, to set up a national Hakka language radio network.

Set up a “Guidance Fund’ to provide subsidies on a case-by-case basis to encourage the production of good Hakka TV programs. Such Hakka TV programs can be aired on both Hakka and non-Hakka TV stations.

6.Doubling Hakka Affairs Budget
The budget for Hakka affairs will be doubled within the next four years. That is, the budget for Hakka activities will increase 20% annually. The goal of doubling the budget will be achieved within four years.

Attachment : none