In celebration of the 300th anniversary of the establishment of Hakka settlements in the Liudui region of southern Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen attends the Hakka Liugdui 300th Anniversary Event in Neipu Township of Pingtung County on Nov. 20, along with Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te (李永得), Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) Minister Yiong Con-ziin, Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Meng-an (潘孟安), Kaohsiung City Deputy Mayor Shyy Che (史哲), and representatives of the Liudui region’s 12 townships/districts.

In this event, President Tsai and Premier Su respectively presented flags and plaques to the descendants of Liudui’s leaders in the past, singing the event theme song with the entire audience. Participants waved Liudui flags with feverish excitement to show the spirit of solidarity, witnessing the historic moment of the three-century-old Liudui and wishing this Hakka region to move forward to next 300 years.

President Tsai said that when she visited Liudui Zhongyi Temple (六堆忠義祠) two years ago, she made a promise that the celebration of Liudui 300th anniversary would be held at the national level in order to restore Liudui Hakka people’s sense of glory. It is the first commemorative event ever in 300 years for all Liudui people to gather together, which is of great historical significance, President Tsai added.

President Tsai remarked that there are countless talented people, including artists, educators, athletes, media professionals, and musicians who are from the Liudui region, a fertile place rich with crops, adding that Liudui is nurtured by our island’s mountains, rivers, and soils.

HAC Minister Yiong said that, celebrating the tricentennial anniversary with five thousand local people on the occasion, he thought about Liudui as the land that nurtured many prominent figures, including esteemed Hakka writers Chung Li-he (鍾理和) and his son Chung Tie-min (鍾鐵民), social activist and victim of White Terror Chung Hao-tung (鍾浩東), democracy advocate Chiou Lien-hui (邱連輝), and surgeon Hsu Pang-hsing (徐傍興).

To pass down the Liudui spirit, the Council also launched a tree-planting activity during the event, demonstrating the prospect of sustainable development in Hakka settlements of the Liudui region.