The “2008 Cross-strait Book Exhibition” took place for the first time in Taichung, hosted by Juridical Personal of Taichung City and Culture Foundation. The inauguration ceremony took place at the front lobby of Wen-In Hall, Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung city today (Sep. 23). Taichung Deputy Mayor Hsiao Chia-chi was invited to deliver a speech, and said that he was there on behalf of Mayor Jason Hu to welcome our friends from Amoy to join in the book exhibition in Taichung. Deputy Mayor Hsiao said that the cross-strait relationship is becoming closer and closer, and that the backgrounds of language and race are a foundation of book exchanges, as well as the biggest auxiliary force for cultural communications. He also gave his best wishes for the success of the book exhibition.

According to the host units in this “2008 Cross-strait Book Exhibition “, the exhibition was divided into two halls: a communication hall and a local hall. The communication hall was exclusively for books from Mainland China, with over 12,000 types of books, provided by 265 publishers from Mainland China. These books are beautifully exhibited according to the categories, such as literature, history, philosophy, art, social science, natural science, and professional books, with more than thirty thousand books being exhibited. The local hall was exclusive for Taiwanese books, and more than 20 thousand books (of over five thousand types) such as bestsellers, new books, and various kinds of books published in 2007 and 2008 were offered by Taiwanese publishers, to be exhibited according to their categories. The Xiamen International Book Centre, a co-host unit of the Cross-strait Book Exhibition, also established the “Xiamen Impression Photography Exhibition” and “Xiamen Culture (books and music) Area”. It was hoped that, through the Cross-strait Book Exhibition, cultural exchange would be achieved. In addition, civilians would have the chance to know Amoy in order to facilitate a sustainable development for Cross-strait culture industry.

Although the cross-strait book exchanges have taken place for many years, the “Cross-strait Book Exhibition” was held in Taichung for the first time. During the process of the unveiling, distinguished guests presented gifts to each other, creating a warm atmosphere in the exhibition. It is hoped that through mutual cross-strait efforts, the flourishing development of Chinese publishers will be actively promoted, in order to enhance competitive and reading advantage across the Strait.