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Passport to Taiwan 2007 
Theme Exhibitions: Hakka in Taiwan: The Hakka refers those who travel from places to places during the last few centuries. Some of them settled in Taiwan. They provide different aspects to cultures in Taiwan and this area is dedicated to show Hakka in the past, present and future.
Background of Hakka: The Hakka are a subgroup of the Han Chinese people who live predominantly in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Fujian in China. Their ancestors are said to have originated in the Henan and Shanxi provinces of northern China over 1,700 years ago. In a series of migrations, the Hakka settled in their present locations in southern China, and then migrated overseas to various nations throughout the world. The Hakka have had a significant influence on the course of history: in particular, they have been a source of revolutionary and political leaders.
Hakka in Taiwan: In Taiwan, Hakka people comprise about 15% of the population and are descended largely from Guangdong: they form the third largest population group on the island. Many Hakka moved to lands high up in the hills or remote mountains to escape political persecution. Many of the Hakka people continue to live in these hilly locations of Taiwan.
Taiwan's Hakka are concentrated in Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, and around Chungli in Taoyuan County, and Meinong in Kaohsiung County, and in Pingtong County, with smaller presences in Hualian and Taitung County. In recent decades many Hakka have moved to the largest metropolitan areas, including Taipei and Kaohsiung.
Prominent Hakka: The Hakka have had a significant influence, disproportionate to their small total numbers, on the course of recent history, particularly as a source of revolutionary and political leaders. This continues to be true in modern history, in which some of the most prominent Chinese leaders have been Hakkas. In the 1980s-90s, three political leaders were Hakkas: the People's Republic of China's Deng Xiaoping, Taiwan's Lee Teng-hui and Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew. Deng & Lee Kuan Yew were among four Chinese named as "the 20th Century's 20 Most Influential Asians" by Time magazine.
Main Exhibition: In addition to the introduction to Hakka, this exhibition will feature “Grandma’s Red Flower Fabric”. This type of fabric is considered outdated and out fashioned is making a comeback as they are put onto more product. The shown picture is a mug set featuring the red fabric.
This Exhibition is made possible by the Hakka Association of New York.
Chien-Ming Wang Bullpen: From the Little League to the Major League, this is about the story of baseball in Taiwan. Wang pitched 19 wins for the Yankees organization in 2006, he was a little leaguer, played for the national team and he is not the only one. How did this American sport become Taiwan’s national sport? Come find out!
The year 2006 was the centennial anniversary of Taiwan's baseball history.
During Japanese colonization, baseball was first introduced to Taiwan and became deeply implanted the daily lives of Taiwanese people, whilst Japanese had been influenced by the Western in the Meiji Restoration. After World War II, the passion of Taiwan people for baseball remained; it even brought them international glory.
Baseball is introduced into Taiwan through Japanese colonization. The Taiwanese start to recognize this sport by cheering at baseball games. During the Japanese rules, schools triggered baseball fever in the students through physical education. In addition to games between schools, the baseball team from Taiwan's Chiayi Agriculture and Forestry Public School succeeded in taking part in the Koshien Competition in Japan. All Taiwanese and Japanese fans went wild at that time.
After World War II, business languished in Taiwan, but the enthusiasm for baseball flourished. Sponsored by business companies, games between amateur teams continued. Everywhere in Taiwan, there was a mass fervor. With the cold war, unassailable barriers were built between countries. Baseball games, however, continued among Asian nations politically friendly to the United States: Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. These games reveal the athletes' understanding of the international situation.
With the game between Taiwan's Little League Hong-Yeh baseball team and Japan's Little League Kansai baseball team, Taiwan entered into the best days of Little League Baseball. The championships repeatedly won by the Taiwanese Little League teams in Williamsport were emotional high points in a time of declining international politics. From that time, baseball began to be a source of glory to the people of Taiwan.
In the 1980s, continued development of professional baseball teams attained more glory for Taiwan: the World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, and the Olympics. A great moment in Taiwan's baseball development was the establishment of the Chinese Professional Baseball League which curbed the loss of Taiwan's talented players.
During the years when there was no professional baseball league in Taiwan, talented Taiwanese athletes repeatedly left Taiwan to continue their careers with foreign baseball companies. The efforts of enthusiastic fans resulted in the creation of Taiwan's professional baseball league in 1990, thus entering a new stage in Taiwan's baseball history.
In this 21st century, after one hundred years of baseball experience, Taiwan has realized that cultivation of baseball-related personnel is required to support a national team and to help baseball to develop from a win-lose competition into a diverse and pure sport.
Waterfront City, Lovin’ Kaohsiung: This second largest city in Taiwan went through a transformation during the last decade and has become the city in Taiwan for cultural development. Kaohsiung will host the 2009 World Games, find out more about this waterfront city.
The People and the Sea
From the sea, we built a city. During the winters of some five hundred years ago, the Han People lived on fishing for mullet. They finally came to Takau (Kaohsiung’s original name, meaning bamboo) in which the aboriginal people of Makattao had been settled for twenty centuries. In the 17th century, the Dutch sailors arrived in this small fishing village and built it up as a trading station. In 1684, the Ching Dynasty took Taiwan as part of its territory. Later, Takau was formally opened for international trade in 1863, thus also opening up cultural exchange. During the Japanese Occupation (1897-1945), Takau had been changed into Takao (i.e. Kaohsiung, in Chinese).
Kaohsiung is located along the south-western coast of Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait to the west and Bashi Strait to the south. The Japanese regarded it as the best stronghold in their progress toward conquering South Asia, and initiated a series of projects including building up the harbor and the city. Thus a little fishing port turned into an internationally renowned port and the second largest city in Taiwan. Its sunny southern climate attracts tourists from all over the world. People say “When we visit the city, she’s all bright and pretty.”
Kaohsiung Port provided the beginning of Kaohsiung’s development. It facilitated the growth of the city as well as Taiwan’s economic miracle. Cargo from all around the world moves into and out of this hub, making Kaohsiung a center of global shipping networks. Today, Kaohsiung ranks as the sixth largest port in the world, featuring not only a fine geographic location and huge cargo capacity but also a high-quality management and ISO-9002 certified service. The port belongs to Kaohsiung people as well as to the world.
Linking to the world World-wide Friendships
Kaohsiung currently has 21 “twin” sister cities at present. By means of cultural and academic exchanges and municipal visits, Kaohsiung shares a common vision with her sister cities. Kaohsiung is easily accessible from every corner of the world. Many friends from various nations come to this city for work, tourism or just to live. There are many English-language publications, TV and radio broadcasts for foreigners, bilingual schools, etc. Kaohsiung can be a second home to anyone.
Compassionate Taiwan: Tzu Chi Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1966 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in the impoverished east coast of Taiwan. The Foundation has been contributing to better social and community services, medical care, education and humanism in Taiwan for nearly 40 years. Master Cheng Yen firmly believes that suffering in this world is caused by material deprivation and spiritual poverty. She felt that "lack of love for others" has been the root of many problems in this world. "To save the world, we must begin by transforming human hearts."
A volunteer-based, spiritual as well as welfare organization, Tzu Chi’s missions focus on giving material aid and inspiring love and humanity in both the givers and receivers. Since its founding, the Foundation has dedicated itself in the field of charity, medicine, education, environmental protection, as well as the promotion of humanistic values and community volunteerism. The humanitarian work is both a means to help those in need, and also a way to open the eyes of the volunteer to the harsher side of life, so that through giving, they may find spiritual happiness and life's true meaning.
A home-grown Taiwanese organization, Tzu Chi volunteers living abroad began setting up overseas chapters in 1985. They use money that they have earned in their country of residence to help the poor and needy in their local communities. Today, Tzu Chi is an international organization with over 5 million supporters and over 30,000 certified commissioners around the globe.
Emergency aid to typhoon-stricken Bangladesh in 1991 marked the beginning of the foundation's international relief efforts. Firmly believing that, "Nothing is more valuable than life, All beings are equal." Tzu Chi demonstrates first hand that They overcome obstacles of time, distance, and politics, to provide relief and hope to victims of war, flood, and drought. As of August 2005, over fifty-seven countries in five continents have received Tzu Chi’s aid.
From the icy Arctic Circle to the sweltering tropics, Tzu Chi volunteers have left their footprints in many faraway lands, risking their lives in epidemics and wars. Their belief in "making the impossible possible" has sustained them in accomplishing many arduous tasks. In addition to material aid, Tzu Chi has also encouraged mutual help among disaster victims and helped them become independent by involving them in rebuilding their own communities. The ultimate goal is to inspire disaster victims to contribute to others in turn when they have the ability to do so, thus creating a global village of Great Love.
Kids Crafts: All time favorite! Where kids learn to make traditional craft. From origami to paper cutting and fragrant pouches, everyone, not just kids can bring home some they make with instructors. This is one of the most beloved area as parents and their children both can learn and play together. Arts & Crafts Presentation: Delicacies - Food Booths: A festival in New York is not complete without participants feasting on different variety of delicacies. Taiwan is known for its “Night Markets” offering delicious appetizers and this attraction is voted #1 among international tourist to Taiwan. Here are few sample of food we will be offering at the event. Bobble Tea: A Taiwanese invention which has spread all over the world. The larger than usual tapioca and straw creates a different drinking sensation. Shaved Ice: Although similar to a snow cone, this popular summer time snack in Taiwan usually comes with many natural flavors such as fruits, beans and condensed milk. Dracula Patty: Imagine what a Dracula consumes and when “that” is mixed with rice into rectangular Patty. Yummy! Spring Wrap: Food for the “Tomb-Sweeping Day”, a healthy wrap of vegetables and slices of chicken and egg. Bamboo Tamale: Not exactly Mexican, this Taiwanese delight is a combination of sticky rice with meat wrapped around in Bamboo leaves. Vegetarian also available. Popcorn Chicken: Kernel Sanders will shut the doors of KFC if he tries this popular street snack. Deeply marinated and sprinkled with pepper, it’s crunchy and salty, not exactly healthy but the taste is irresistible. Corn Dog: Hot Dog can be considered as National food of the UA. In Taiwan, people know Hot Dog in the form of Corn Dog. Why? We don’t know either, but we enjoy this festival food very much.
Taiwanese Sausage Corn Dog Shaved Ice (2 Booth 2 Flavors) Lovely Crystal (Ai-Yu Jelly) Spring Wrap Papaya Milk Bobble Tea Bamboo Tamale Cold Drinks Rice Vermicelli Egg Cake Popcorn Chicken Taiwanese Soup Minced Pork over Rice
Organization/Business/Government Booths: Friends of Taiwan Simply Help North American Taiwanese Women's Association Taiwanese American Conference/East Coast Healthplus Global Alliance for Democracy and Peace The Youth Orchestra, CYCNY OceanBlue Taiwanese Association of America
Wells Fargo Bank Fresh Air Fund Mr. Brown (Everlasting Distributors) Crystal Windows New York City Fire Department Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in NY
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