Accompanied by Council for Hakka Affairs Chief Li Yong-te, Hsinchu County Magistrate Chiu Chun-ching, Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Tsai Rong-guang, former County Magistrate Lin Guang-hua of the DPP, serving legislator Hsu Guo-nan and others, ROC President Tsai Ing-wen visited the Jiang family Temple in Nanxing Village, Beipu County. As well as expressing interest in the soon to be finished renovation of the temple, she also stressed that next year the budget for building the Hakka Romantic Avenue (Provincial Highway 3) will be increased to allow more settlements, clan temples and huofangwu (also known as courtyard houses) to be renovated.
President Tsai said that many people have been involved in the renovation of the Jiang family temple and the Council for Hakka Affairs began providing a large amount of funding from over 10 years ago. She said that the imminent completion of its renovation is an important event for Hakka people and for all Taiwan. From the demonstration by the architects and county government personnel she mentioned that she could see that their approach to every work detail was highly meticulous and it is no exaggeration to call their work “exquisite carving.” The government and civil groups needs to cooperate to bring more people into Hakka settlements to see the beauty of Hakka culture, history and people. Beipu is an extremely important Hakka township on Provincial Highway 3. There are many Hakka settlements, family temples, huofangwu and historic buildings along the Provincial Highway 3 and these are all precious assets.
Magistrate Chiu said that the county government is leading the way in building the Hakka Romantic Avenue (Provincial Highway 3) in cooperation with the central government. As part of this effort, internationally-renowned artist Lin Hsu-long was invited to create the installation art for the Avenue using driftwood. Lin has taken part in the Setouchi Triennale with installation art works and also set up a camellia seed factory in Emei, the aimis to let young people return to their native place to work and give them a chance to learn. He said President Tsai’s visited would have a supporting effect and that the scenic spots and attractions of the Hakka Romantic Avenue will become model bases for tourism charm.
In front of the Jiang family temple, President Tsai pointed out that in the past the Jiang family protected their home and their country and displayed the strength and determination of Hakka women and she said she is sure all Taiwanese will be deeply moved by their deeds. The most precious thing about Hakka culture, she said, is that it is non-partisan, with people from all parties united in their support for relating the profound pages of Hakka history. In the future, generation after generation will be able to understand the importance of taking responsibility and understand the history of their forefathers.
The development of the Hakka Romantic Avenue plan will bring together central government resources and release the potential of local industry. President Tsai emphasized that the plan will be accelerated and the budget will be increased next year to allow more cultural relics, ancient sites and Hakka scenic spots to be renovated. She said, this is not only a major cultural project, it is also a chance for everyone to learn about and cherish history and, even more important, gives young people a chance to learn lessons from the past about taking responsibility.