TAIPEI: The Legislative Yuan passed a law yesterday to regulate Hakka affairs, allowing the administration to use public resources in an ambitious plan to turn Taiwan into a global Hakka culture research and interaction center.

"Council for Hakka Affairs (CHA) Minister" Huang Yu-cheng disclosed the plan while announcing the legislation at a press conference held by Legislator Chao Li-yun of the ruling Kuomintang and her colleagues Chu Fong-chi and Hsu Yao-chang.

Under the law, any townships, cities and communities where Hakka people account for over 33 percent of the population will be listed as key Hakka culture development districts, where the Hakka dialect serves as a required language at official events and in government agencies.

Chao said there are 61 townships, cities and communities around Taiwan qualified to serve as Hakka culture hubs.

In addition, the law stipulates that the government should promote the application of the Hakka dialect and proficiency certification in the dialect, establish a Hakka language data bank and take measures to encourage Hakka academic research while encouraging local colleges and universities to open departments and institutes focusing on Hakka affairs research.

The law also demands the protection of Hakka media rights and assistance in the establishment of Hakka-language broadcasting and television channels.

An official Hakka Day should also be set up to mark the Hakka spirit and culture, according to the law.

Huang said the CHA will solicit public opinion before deciding which day of the year best represents the Hakka spirit.

The law will not take effect until it is promulgated by "President" Ma Ying-jeou, a process that will take at least 10 days.

According to CHA statistics released in 2008, in the broadest sense of the term, Hakka people comprised over 25 percent of Taiwan's population, meaning there are 5.88 million people who identify themselves as Hakka or as having Hakka blood.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 01/06/2010 page2)