October 5, 2021
The day of September 28, 1971 marks the official beginning of the World Hakka Conference. In the half of a century time since then, WHC has been held thirty times in different parts of the world. For the first time, and, in the golden jubilee year, this well-attended event of global Hakkas comes to Canada. A special gala was held in late September to celebrate the milestone anniversary.
The 31st and the first-ever World Hakka Conference in Canada is hosted by Hakka Canadian Association at the City of Markham, Ontario. It was scheduled for this October. Due to the global pandemic, the event was postponed to June 24-26 of 2022. Despite the postponement, a special celebration gala was held on September 25 to mark the golden jubilee milestone of WHC.
Co-Chairs of the 31st WHC, Markham Regional Councillor Joe Li and Mr. James Chu, President of the Canada United Hakka Association, expressed their gratitude to the guests of the special gala hosted by CUHA.
(RC Joe Li addressed the guest virtually）
The World Hakka Conference is one of the most influential Chinese events in the world. It is an important platform for the Hakka folks at home and abroad to reconnect. The Hakkas from various regions and continents will join the biennial reunion to exchange and communicate, opening opportunities for economic cooperation or cultural exchanges. The success of WHC relies on the support from the Hakka people around the world.
RC Li and President Chu urged the Canadian Hakkas to join the event. RC Li, who did not attend the celebration due to his busy Council schedule, addressed the guests virtually. He said that the theme of this WHC is Hakka Reunion & World Harmony. It is the first time that Canadian Hakka is being the host and they should not miss the great opportunity to showcase the multicultural communities and vibrant diversity of Canada.
(President Chu gave welcoming remarks)
In his welcoming remarks, President Chu expressed his gratitude to the over 200 attending guests. He said that CUHA had been a strong supporter of WHC. His association and the Hakka community in the Vancouver area would work hard with the organizing team in the Eastern Canada to make the Conference a big success.
(Theme of the 31st World Hakka Conference is Hakka Reunion & World Harmony)
The special celebration also marked the 27th anniversary of CUHA. President Chu said that CUHA had been active in connecting with all Hakka communities in Canada since its inception. They helped promoting the cultural exchanges between Chinese and non-Chinese communities, supporting Chinese businesses, and nourishing young Chinese professionals and future politicians.
(Special celebration for the 50th Anniversary of WHC and 27th Anniversary of CUHA)
Hakka organizations from around the world, including Hong Kong Tsung Tsin Association, the host of the first WHC in 1971, The World Hakka Federation, the host of six WHCs, and other associations from Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Chinese provinces of Henan and Guangdong, as well as Chinese city of Ganzhou presented their greetings in videos.
(Lots of entertainment programs in the celebration gala)
