Time flies! Without noticing, I have already served in the Hakka Affairs Council for three years and seven months. Like a hurtling train, time has carried my fellow workers and me through a period of sweat and hard work.

When I assumed the post on May 20, 2008, we were titled “Council for Hakka Affairs, Executive Yuan.” On January 1, 2012, however, we changed our name to the “Hakka Affairs Council.”

Name-changing, to some extent, signifies the end of a stage, as well as an origin of a whole-new era. Looking back to the past few years, there are so many people helping and cherishing me. With gratitude, I have been full-hearted to impetus the government affairs, devote all my energies to Hakka, and benefit the Hakka villagers. Despite the hardships and trials, I have never felt lonely; your support throughout the entire journey has urged me to conquer every challenge.

For the past three years, we have strived to carry out the President Ma-Ying Jeou’s notion, “Supporting Hakka People, Prospering Hakka Villages.” We have strived to achieve the following policies, such as advocating for the “Major Hakka Culture Development Regions,” holding the “National Hakka Conference,” the “Nationwide Conference for Hakka Affairs Leaders” and “World-Wide Hakka Reunion,” establishing the “Hakka Language Teacher” system, pursuing for increasing the Hakka Affiars budget, organizing the “Hakka Festivities,” assisting in the marketing of the Hakka specialty industry and products, establishing “National Hakka Day,” endeavoring to intake the subject of “Hakka Affairs Administration” in the National Examination of Civil Services, and legislating the epoch-making “Hakka Basic Law.”

The above efforts aim at setting a solid foundation for Hakka regulations, and to practice our previous plans into current policy, and then, enshrine our current policy in law. That is also the idea I have insisted until today. Enshrining Hakka right in law, I believe, is the only way to lead the Hakka to a better future.

All must leave the mark to pass by, and those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. I am gratified and honored to say that we haven’t disappointed anyone through these three and a half years!

Taking a glance into the future, a battle for greater life is bound to start. From now on, the brand-new “Hakka Affairs Council” will regard the “Honoring Hakka People, Enriching Hakka Villages” as our supreme policy, and stand on the existing solid base to transform Taiwan into the “New Hakka Capital” of the world.

Accordingly, we will endeavor to fulfill the eight major aims and principles advocated by President Ma Ying-jeou for the next four years, including establishing Hakka Development Fund, reducing the age limit of Hakka Language Certification to 4 years old, prospering the Hakka specialty industry, supporting the Hakka cultural and creative activities, counseling Hakka younger to start an enterprise, fostering Hakka leadership talents, increasing the strength within the Hakka communities, and transforming Taiwan into the “New Hakka Capital” of the world.

This is not only President Ma Ying-jeou’s solemn promise to Hakka, but also tour main focus. The Hakka Affairs Council hope and will be glad to receive every precious advice from every Hakka-loving heart.

There is a long, long road with a lots of objectives to be done for Hakka, and there are so many challenges for us to conquer and complete. Most sincerely, I am eager to fight for Hakka, and build a bright future with everyone caring the blessing of Hakka.

Huang Yu-cheng
January 1, 2012