TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Hakka Affairs Council (客家委員會), Taiwan's government agency responsible for preserving Hakka culture and language, announced on Tuesday (July 1) an ambitious digital currency initiative aimed at revitalizing a declining linguistic heritage. The program will distribute 250,000 digital "Hakka Coins" (客家幣) valued at NT$1,000 (approximately US$34.22) each to citizens between 18 and 49 years old. The age-specific targeting has immediately triggered criticism from various community advocates who claim the exclusion of seniors over 50 and youth under 18 represents a counterproductive approach to language preservation efforts.
In defense of its controversial age parameters, the council cited comprehensive linguistic surveys conducted in 2016 and 2021 that identified a significant proficiency gap among middle-aged and younger adult Taiwanese, prompting the targeted approach to language revitalization. Registration for the digital currency program will remain open from 9 a.m. until noon on July 30, with implementation support from 17 financial and electronic payment institutions across Taiwan. The initiative has gained additional private sector backing, with 15 financial institutions offering supplementary bonuses of NT$100 (about US$3.42) each to early participants, though these enhanced incentives are limited to the first 45,000 registrants.
Social media platforms have become forums for heated debate, with numerous commentators questioning whether the council's age-based approach constitutes discriminatory policy against both seniors and youth. Responding to mounting criticism, council officials clarified the full eligibility criteria for receiving the digital currency: individuals must either be recognized members of Hakka-speaking families, demonstrate language competency by passing the 2025 Hakka proficiency examination, or simply be Taiwanese citizens within the targeted 18-49 age bracket. The council further defended its strategy by noting that most fluent Hakka speakers are already over 50 years old, while simultaneously announcing accommodations for younger demographics, including waived registration fees for the language proficiency test for those under 19.
As public discourse intensifies regarding the age-based eligibility requirements, Hakka Affairs Council representatives maintain that their primary objective remains addressing the documented language proficiency deficit among Taiwan's working-age population. Language preservation experts are closely monitoring this innovative digital currency approach to cultural heritage conservation, with many suggesting the program's success or failure could significantly shape future government strategies for protecting Taiwan's diverse linguistic landscape, which includes multiple indigenous languages and dialects beyond Hakka that face similar preservation challenges. ◼