Premier Sean Chen spoke tonight at the Ministry of Culture's welcome dinner for the 21st Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE). "Today is a very special occasion for all the book-lovers gathered in Taipei," he began. "On behalf of the Executive Yuan, the administrative branch of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to express my most sincere and hearty welcome to all of you."
"I would rather be surrounded by books and book-lovers than be sitting in the meeting room conducting endless meetings in my office," the premier joked.
Chen said he has a very good impression of the host country, Belgium, and considers it very similar to Taiwan because both have a very diverse cultural and gourmet tradition. He added that he has long had the impression that Belgian people are very intelligent thanks to Agatha Christie's mystery novels, many of which feature the brilliant and popular Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
"A great nation is a reading nation," Chen said, quoting Frederic Melcher, the founder of the Newberry Medal for great American children's literature. "For this reason, I would like to see this event and also the printing industry prosper in the future and make this country a great nation."
Finally, Chen wished the attendees "a very successful event in Taipei and a very pleasant stay in Taiwan."
Minister of Culture (MOC) Lung Ying-tai, Taipei Book Fair Foundation (TBFF) Chairman Wang Jung-wen and Wallonie-Bruxelles International CEO Philippe Suinen then joined the premier on stage to toast the guests.
The 2013 Taipei International Book Exhibition will be held in Halls 1, 2 and 3 of the Taipei World Trade Center from January 30 to February 4. It is sponsored by the MOC and administrated by the TBFF with the support of the Taipei City Government and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council.
A delegation of 37 Belgian authors, musicians, illustrators, cartoonists, artists and publishers are visiting Taiwan to showcase their country's achievements in illustration, comics, animation, art, literature, architecture and music.