Lai Jui-lung, the Democratic Progressive Party's candidate for Kaohsiung mayor, is making the Hakka vote a focus of his campaign — good news for businesses and cultural groups in Hakka areas such as Meinong and Liouguei.

• Lai has established the "Taiwan-Hakka Alliance Kaohsiung General Support Association," with more than 600 members of the Hakka community turning out in support.
• He put forward three main directions: revitalising the Hakka language, preserving Hakka culture and cultivating talent, and integrating industry in the Hakka villages.
• The centrepiece is linking Meinong's crafts and cuisine with the distinctive features of Liouguei, Shanlin and Jiasian to form a Hakka village tourism corridor.
• Legislators Lee Kun-tse and Hsu Chih-chieh appeared on stage in support, highlighting Lai Jui-lung's status as a "Hakka son-in-law."
• On policy, he continues Chen Chi-mai's "Hakka everywhere" approach, effectively taking up the baton on municipal achievements dating back to Chen Chu.

Outlook: With less than 100 days to go before the vote, the Hakka vote bank will be one of the key battlegrounds in the Kaohsiung mayoral race.