• 2023-06-02

The National Central Library is led by Director-General Shu-hsien Tseng in attending the Association for Asian Studies 2023 Annual Conference, March 16-19, at the Sheraton Boston and Hynes Convention Center, as well as the book exhibition. The book exhibition displayed excellent humanities and social science research literature related to sinology and Taiwan studies in Taiwan from the past three years, a total of 400 high-quality publications and 439 volumes. In addition to the book fair, the National Central Library also hosted scholars and library colleagues in the fields of sinology and Taiwan studies from various countries, embellishing the book fair with Taiwanese flavors, making this event full of strong local customs and academic characteristics.

The Director-General Tseng said that the annual meeting of the Association for Asian Studies of the United States is a grand event in international academic circles, with influence all over the world. There were more than 500 papers published at this year's annual meeting, and more than 2,300 scholars published papers. Attending scholars included researchers and librarians in the field of Asia from universities in the United States and around the world, and Asian studies academic presses from all over the world. In order to enable colleagues from all over the world to understand Taiwan's academic achievements in the fields of the humanities, and, at the same time, introduce Taiwan's academic research environment, announce the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taiwan Scholarships for foreign scholars coming to Taiwan to study sinology, and attract overseas scholars to study in Taiwan, this year the National Central Library especially installed a tea banquet in its exhibition area, taking advantage of the internationally renowned Taiwanese oolong tea, providing warm entertainment and exquisite refreshments, decorating the scene with fresh flowers, lending the booths much color, and the demonstration of tea art also enhanced visitors’ understanding of Taiwan's human characteristics. In addition, the 45 TRCCS partner pavilions that the National Central Library has deeply cultivated around the world also took this opportunity to come to the library’s booth for exchanges. Also, many organizations that have long-term international book exchanges with the National Central Library expressed their gratitude, and, at the same time, introduced old and new knowledge, and discussed what they had learned from operating libraries and jointly handling activities, in the name of striving to expand academic resources for each other.

On the 17th, local time, the National Central Library organized a scholarly exchange activity. Many scholars who had visited Taiwan for research purposes, as well as cooperating sections of Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies, which is part of the international framework, were also invited to attend. Director-General Shu-hsien Tseng personally led colleagues in various related fields at the venue to conduct exchanges with scholars from various countries on introducing the displaying of books, Taiwan-related academic resources, programs for scholars' applying to conduct research in Taiwan, cooperation in academic activities, and use of Taiwan libraries. While sipping Taiwan oolong tea, many scholars also shared tidbits about their past experience in Taiwan. Also present were young scholars who plan to come to Taiwan for research. All deeply agreed that Taiwan can continue amid the difficult international situation to develop in terms of the depth of academic research, freedom of publication, and integration with international academic standards appropriate to a starting point for research.