To strengthen the bond of overseas Hakka communities, the Northern California Hakka Association (NCHA) held a summer barbecue party at Serra Park in Sunnyvale on Aug. 25.

The event was attended by nearly 150 participants, including Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in San Francisco Joseph C.L. Ma (馬鍾麟), Culture Center of TECO Director Yen Shu-rong (閻樹榮) and Deputy Director Chung Pei-chen (鍾佩珍), Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) official Lu Yu-chen (呂玉貞), OCAC adviser Hu Hsin-kuei (胡新貴), and NCHA President Huang Chi-chuan (黃季娟). Various Hakka delicacies were provided for attendees to enjoy.

Culture Center of TECO Director Yen thanked members of local Hakka communities for their support for TECO, and provided voting information on next year’s presidential election for overseas compatriots.

TECO Director Ma stated that Taiwan has around 4 million Hakka people, who are associated with the spirit of frugality, endurance, and perseverance. Valuing Hakka people’s civil rights, the government established the Hakka Affairs Council in 2001, through which the Hakka culture is passed down, contributing to a culturally diverse society in Taiwan.