Minister Gu pointed out that the project aims to achieve cultural transmission and local revitalization, not just building reconstruction and refurbishing. HAC has provided NT$24.635 million in funding for the Yuanli Market historic building restoration. Despite this only covers 25% of the total project cost, it is a key investment of HAC’s resources, demonstrating the importance and support HAC gives to cultural preservation. In addition to Yuanli, markets are also being built in Zhutian, Pingtung and Chishang, Taitung, where HAC funding covers 70% to 80% of the total project cost.
In addition to backing such construction projects, Minister Gu also praised Yuanli’s cultural vibrancy. Minister Gu remarked that despite Miaoli’s large Hakka population, most people in Yuanli consider themselves Hokkien, and Hakka people only account for about 26% of the local population. This demographic composition has fostered the township’s unique language and cultural diversity. Most of the Hakka people in Yuanli speak two or even three languages: Mandarin, Hakka, and Hokkien—they showcase outstanding language abilities and cultural adaptability.
Minister Gu said that as we visit markets in our everyday lives, these spaces embody local culture. More than a business cluster for the general public, Yuanli Market is a gathering place for different ethnicities. Established in 1907, Yuanli Market boasts a long history. Its predecessor can be traced back to a Qing-era market. Dating from the Japanese colonial period, the structure exemplifies wooden building technology of its time, showing great cultural and historical significance. It was declared an historic building in 2019. However, the market suffered a fire in 2018. After more than six years of preparation and hard work, it is now on the cusp of reconstruction and restoration.
