• 2023-06-03

The Center for Chinese Studies of the National Central Library, in order to publicize Taiwan's academic achievements and recent publishing developments, planned and prepared a book exhibition with the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange during an annual meeting, displaying 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 order to expand international academic exchanges, together the participating Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures and National Taiwan University Press, donated the exhibited books to Harvard-Yenching Library, an important center for international sinological research. The donation ceremony was held on the afternoon of March 14 before the Association for Asian Studies annual meeting, held at the Harvard-Yenching Library.

Harvard-Yenching Library, the recipient organization, is an important center of collection of sinological books in North America. It was established in 1928. Its collection of rare and ancient books from before the Qianlong court is second only in North America to that of the Library of Congress. Since its opening more than 90 years ago, it has provided research resources and fostered countless international sinological researchers. At the donation ceremony on the 14th, in addition to the Harvard-Yenching Library and the Chinese book-related business librarians of the school’s libraries, the distinguished guests from Taiwan included Director Jonathan C.Y. Sun of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston, and Wei-Yu Hwang, the leader of its education team. In addition, Wei-han Ch’en, a member of the special committee of National Taiwan University Press, and researcher Hsi-yuan Chen, convener of the Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures, also came to participate and donate on behalf of their institutions. Finally, Director-General Shu-hsien Tseng presented an edition of The Lotus Sutra, published by the National Central Library, as a symbolic gift, and Director Jidong Yang of Harvard-Yenching Library, accepted the book on its behalf. After the meeting, the library also arranged a visit to its widely renowned rare book collection.

The books donated by the three institutions were exhibited at the booths of the American Association for Asian Studies at the Hynes Convention Center from March 17th to 19th, Eastern Time, and sent to the Harvard-Yenching Library for its collection after the meeting. The subjects and contents of the donated books include sinology and Taiwan studies. The content is rich and diverse, and it represents Taiwan's academic research achievements. Since the National Central Library has continued its involvement in the past ten years, even during the epidemic, it has received considerable international attention. The National Central Library also hopes to present the current state of Taiwan's publishing industry through the annual conference and book fair, and promote international cooperation to enhance cultural exchanges and recognition, so that Taiwan’s energy can blossom on the international academic stage.