The Executive Yuan announced today that Liu Ching-chung, current political deputy minister of the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC), will become HAC minister, while Chung Wan-mei, the HAC's administrative deputy minister, will fill the vacant post left by Liu.
Liu is a Hakka from Pingtung County. He has a Ph.D. from Illinois State University of the United States. He worked at National Pingtung University of Education (NPUE) for many years, serving as dean of the Graduate Institute of Education Administration, deputy president, acting president and president of the university. Throughout his career, Liu has spared no effort in promoting local Hakka culture and ethnic concerns. As NPUE president, he even set up a Hakka research center to promote Hakka cultural research and development.
The Executive Yuan stated that during his tenure as political deputy minister, Liu proactively assisted in the development of Hakka specialty industries and the management of the Hakka cultural parks in Miaoli and Liudui. He was also responsible for liaison and collaboration with Hakka affairs agencies of various local governments.
As minister, Liu will continue the present cultural and language education policies. He will also augment the cultivation of Hakka youths and inspire them to propagate Hakka culture and pass on their heritage, just as he did when he was tutoring at NPUE. It is expected that he will have new and innovative ways of promoting research and development of Hakka culture, as well.
Chung is a Hakka from Miaoli County. He graduated from the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling of National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). He has previously served as researcher cum division chief of the Taipei City Teachers' In-Service Education Center; executive officer and department head of the National Institute of Educational Resources and Research; chief secretary of the National Civil Service Institute (precursor to the National Academy of Civil Service); director of the HAC's Department of Culture and Education and its Department of Planning, as well as acting chief secretary and then administrative deputy minister of the HAC.
He has garnered wide acclaim from various sectors for his efforts in reviving Hakka language and promoting Hakka culture, industrial development and exchanges both at home and abroad.
The Executive Yuan stated that Chung worked his way up as a civil servant and has thus gained abundant administrative experience. He is familiar with Hakka policies and Hakka communities, and he has a strong sense of mission with regard to promoting and passing on Hakka heritage. As political deputy minister, he will be of great assistance to the HAC in promoting various Hakka affairs, officials said.