Taoyuan, Taiwan, Aug. 9 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian reaffirmed his commitment Saturday to promoting Hakka culture as part of his administration's efforts to boost cultural diversity in Taiwan.
Chen made the reaffirmation while attending the inaugural ceremony for a Hakka cultural festival in Taoyuan County's Pingchen township, some 45 kilometers south of Taipei. Pingchen boasts a large Hakka population.
Chen said the inauguration of an all-Hakka television channel and a graduate institute of Hakka culture and social customs at National Central University earlier this year indicates his administration's determination to promote Hakka culture. "And our promotional campaign will not stop there. We'll make continued efforts to help local people understand the essence of Hakka culture," Chen said.
The president further said he took delight in seeing colorful Hakka-style floral cloth become main decorative items at the cultural festival organized by the Taoyuan County Government.
Chen said he is convinced that the success of the Pingchen Hakka cultural festival will inspire other townships to sponsor similar activities to showcase their own unique cultural heritage.