On 18 January 2019, Representative Francis Kuo-Hsin Liang presided over the handover of the President and inauguration ceremony of the new President of the Singapore Taiwanese Hakka Association. Over 70 persons were at the ceremony, including the founder, commissioners of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, office bearers from the Asia Taiwanese Hakka Association and the Cambodia Taiwanese Hakka Association, Deputy Representative Steven Tai and other officials from the Taipei Representative Office in Singapore.
In his address, Representative Francis Liang highlighted the indispensable role of the Hakka people in shaping Taiwan’s multi-cultural society. Numbering about 4.5 million persons, the Hakka population makes up about 19.3% of Taiwan’s total population. In recognition of the importance of the Hakka community, the government is fully committed to preserving and promoting Hakka culture, language and arts in Taiwan and internationally.
At the ceremony, Representative Liang thanked outgoing President Tang Chuan Chin for his contributions in promoting the Hakka culture, and looked forward to working with incoming President Dr. Hwang Chii Guang in continuing and strengthening exchanges between Singapore and Taiwan in various fields, including traditional Hakka culture, tourism and economics and trade.
Representative Francis Liang (center) flanked by the Singapore Taiwanese Hakka Association’s outgoing President Tang Chuan Chin (right) and incoming President Dr. Hwang Chii Guang at the handover and inauguration ceremony.
Office bearers from the Singapore Taiwanese Hakka Association and their VIP guests from the Asia Taiwanese Hakka Association and the Cambodia Taiwanese Hakka Association at a sing-along during the networking event.