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On August 18th, President Tsai Ing-wen, accompanied by Yang Chang-zhen, the Chairman of the Hakka Affairs Council, Chung Tung-chin, the Magistrate of Miaoli County, and Xu Zhi-rong, the Legislator, paid a visit to the Hakka Literary Garden in the Gongguan Township of Miaoli County to view the artwork of the “Romantic Route 3 Falabidbog”. President Tsai Ing-wen expects the next president to continue to promote the Romantic Route 3 policy. During his speech, Magistrate Chung Tung-chin especially praised the Central Government by saying, “For over a century, the Central Government, led by President Tsai Ing-wen, is the only one that has put the greatest effort into promoting the Hakka culture.”
The “Romantic Route 3 Falabidbog”, organized by the Hakka Affairs Council, is exhibiting at the Hakka Literary Garden in Miaoli County. There are 5 installation art pieces, including “palianytsia (round bread)” created by Ukrainian artist Janna Kaderova; “Listen to the Sound of Stones” created by Japanese artist Masao Okabe; “Taiwan Muddy Feet” created by Japanese artist Hiroko Kubo; “Blooming in the Distance” taken by American photographer Cody Cobb, and the large stone tiger “Looking towards Hometown” created by Taiwanese artist Liao Jian-zhong. At night, laser lighting is projected in the sky, creating flickering beams that caused the residents in the neighborhood to think that it was a “flying saucer” from outer space, sparking a discussion. Yang Chang-zhen, the Chairman of the Hakka Affairs Council, stated that since President Tsai took office, she has attached significant importance to the Romantic Route 3 and has often asked about the current development progress. Romantic Route 3, especially, is not a single park or construction project, it extends to several counties and cities, combining hardware, software, various villages, and various segments. After years of development, some achievements have finally been made. Furthermore, President Tsai fully supports the construction of the Hakka areas in Miaoli County. In addition to the construction of the Old Mountain Line Rail Bike in Sanyi in the south area, and Nanzhuang Old Street in the north area, the Mingde Reservoir in the central area has obtained a subsidy and an around-the-lake bicycle trail will be constructed. It’s expected that these constructions will be able to fully promote the development of the tourism industry and the Hakka culture in Miaoli County.
President Tsai Ing-wen stated that the Romantic Route 3 was a policy introduced during her first presidential election and has now, in 2023, entered its 8th year. The Central Government particularly uses the fund of The Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program to invest in its development. She also appreciates the cooperation of the townships and cities along the route and hopes that the future president, county magistrates, and city mayors will continue to support it. She believes that one day a very beautiful Romantic Route 3 will be presented to the public, something for all the Hakka people to be proud of.
Magistrate Chung Tung-chin not only accompanied President Tsai to the Hakka Literary Garden and the various installation arts but, during his speech, he also expressed his gratitude and positive recognition to Yang Chang-zhen, the chairman of the Hakka Affairs Council, for supporting the Miaoli County in promoting the Hakka culture so that the Miaoli County can receive the “Excellent Award” in the annual appraisals. He also reported to President Tsai that the mayors of 18 townships have been encouraged to personally lead a team to visit the 2023 Hakka Expo in Taoyuan as it’s an event that takes place once a century. Besides, he praised the president in his speech by saying that there has been no central government that has valued the Hakka culture as much as President Tsai’s. Among all the presidents of Taiwan, President Tsai is the only one who has put the greatest efforts into promoting the Hakka culture.
Magistrate Chung Tung-chin also took this opportunity to seek President Tsai’s support regarding the third phase construction project of the Hakka Literary Garden, as well as major tourism constructions such as the Mingde Reservoir around-the-lake bicycle trail. President Tsai gave her promise immediately and also asked the Hakka Affairs Council to fully support the projects. The interaction and communication of President Tsai with the other officials was warm and active on that day.