2026 Overseas Taiwan Hakka Convention Grandly Held in Brazil – Magistrate Yang Wen-ke Leads Delegation to Share Hsinchu County’s Hakka Experience

The major overseas Taiwanese Hakka gathering, the '2026 Overseas Taiwan Hakka Convention,' was grandly held in São Paulo, Brazil. Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke personally led a delegation to exchange development experiences with Hakka leaders from around the world, strengthening global Hakka unity. Magistrate Yang also shared Hsinchu County’s achievements in promoting Hakka culture, revitalizing the Hakka language, and fostering international exchanges. County Secretary-General Li An-yu was invited to deliver a keynote speech, demonstrating the profound power of Taiwan’s Hakka culture to transcend borders and be passed down across generations.

This year’s convention brought together Magistrate Yang Wen-ke, county officials, Hakka Affairs Council Chairperson Ku Hsiu-hui, Representative to Brazil Liao Chih-hsien, Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in São Paulo Chu Yi-ching, World Federation of Taiwan Hakka Associations President Chiu Jung-kuang, Brazilian Hakka Tsung Tsin Association President Chen Tsung-mu, Global Federation of Taiwan Hakka Associations President Li Wan-tang, and Hakka compatriots from five continents for dialogue and networking.

Magistrate Yang Wen-ke stated that Hsinchu County has positioned Hakka cultural development as a key policy direction. From language, education, arts, to international outreach, the county government has invested resources across multiple dimensions, ensuring Hakka culture is not merely preserved but continues to thrive in the modern era. He emphasized that Hsinchu County is not only a science and technology hub but also a city deeply rooted in Hakka heritage—the municipality with the highest proportion of Hakka residents in Taiwan.

Hakka Affairs Council Chairperson Ku Hsiu-hui noted that this was the third time the Overseas Taiwan Hakka Convention had been held in Brazil, with the first taking place in 2005, coinciding with the inauguration of the Brazilian Hakka Building. She praised the Brazilian Hakka Tsung Tsin Association as exceptional, highlighting that no other Tsung Tsin Association worldwide owns its own building. She commended the local Hakka community for their outstanding efforts in preserving and promoting Hakka traditions, setting an example for others to follow.

Chen Tsung-mu, President of the Brazilian Hakka Tsung Tsin Association and host of the event, welcomed Hakka compatriots from around the world, emphasizing that every Hakka person carries the mission of inheriting Hakka spirit. 'No matter where we are, Hakka people remain united. Gathering across national borders further demonstrates our solidarity and resilience,' he said.

Magistrate Yang’s participation deepened Taiwan’s connection with global Hakka communities and showcased Hsinchu County’s leadership in Hakka cultural advancement. During the convention, Secretary-General Li An-yu delivered a special presentation on Hsinchu County’s experience, detailing efforts in language revitalization, cultural preservation, educational integration, and international cooperation. She highlighted the county’s dual-track governance model combining technology and culture, allowing global Hakka audiences to better understand the county’s long-term commitment and achievements.

Hsinchu County became the first local government in Taiwan to conduct all executive council meetings entirely in Hakka. Through incentive programs for Hakka proficiency certification, creation of Hakka-friendly environments, school-based promotion, and grassroots community engagement, the county has fostered a daily-life environment for Hakka usage. Collaborating with township offices, it promoted Hakka as a common language, earning recognition from central authorities and receiving a total grant of NT$7.4 million—concrete proof of effective local action in mother tongue preservation. Beyond domestic revitalization, the county actively promotes Hakka internationally. It launched its first 'Overseas Hakka Language Teaching Promotion Program,' selecting Hakka master teacher Yeh Jen-wei to teach at the Taiwan Center in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, helping overseas communities establish Hakka learning environments and ensuring the continuity of Hakka language and culture worldwide.

Beyond language, Magistrate Yang led a Hakka Bayin ensemble to perform at the Brahms Hall in Vienna, Austria last year, showcasing the charm of Taiwan’s traditional Hakka music fused with innovation under the theme 'Voices of the Island, Bronze Resonance of Bayin.' Additionally, the return exhibition of artist Tsai Yin-tang reconnected cultural memory with Hakka spirit.

Magistrate Yang emphasized, 'Hakka culture is a precious cultural asset of Taiwan and an important bridge connecting us to the world. I thank the Hakka Affairs Council and overseas Hakka communities for their long-standing support and collaboration. Going forward, Hsinchu County will continue to uphold the vision of “Culture as Root, Technology as Wing, the World as Stage,” deepening cultural inheritance and international exchange. We aim to make Hsinchu County a pivotal base for Hakka development in Taiwan and ensure the world hears Hakka voices and sees Hsinchu County.'