President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of November 13 with a delegation from the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), which is visiting Taiwan to mark the organization's 50th anniversary. On behalf of the government and people of the ROC, the president welcomed the visitors and called for further promotion of international cultural interaction.
In remarks, President Ma stated that the main focus of the ACC is to promote cultural interaction in the arts between the United States and Asian nations. John D. Rockefeller 3rd established the Asian Cultural Program in 1963 under the John D. Rockefeller 3rd Foundation, and in 1980 the ACC was launched to carry forward the mission of its predecessor, he said. The council is headquartered in New York, and maintains offices in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines, the president noted.
President Ma commented that the ACC seeks out young people in Asian nations involved in arts and culture and arranges for them to visit the United States to interact with their counterparts, engage in advanced study, visit various places, and pursue their art. To date, over 300 individuals from Taiwan have received grants from the council, and many have gone on to international fame, winning distinction for Taiwan, he said. This points to the sharp eye that the council has in spotting talent, the president stated.
President Ma said that infrastructure makes for a powerful nation, but only culture can make for a great nation, which is why three years ago he unveiled his "six steps to a better Taiwan," stressing the need to strengthen the country through innovation, and to revive the country by promoting culture. As culture is the core of a nation's soft power, innovation is what drives progress in society, he said. The ACC, the president commented, integrates the two components of innovation and culture by helping young Asian artists make the most of their talent.
President Ma mentioned that since taking office five years ago he has strived to improve relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and actively promoted Taiwan's participation in the international community. This, he said, has significantly changed Taiwan's external environment. Pointing to the tourism industry as an example, the president said, prior to his taking office, the number of annual tourist visits to Taiwan was only 3.7 million, but by last year this number had nearly doubled to 7.3 million. Taiwan's ability to attract tourists attests not only to its beautiful scenery and delicious food, but more importantly to the virtues of the people here, including integrity, honesty, kindheartedness, enterprising nature, and hardworking spirit. This is what "Taiwan culture" is, he commented.
The president also encouraged the visitors during their stay here to develop a better understanding of Taiwan's efforts and achievements in its role as a promoter of cultural ties and a standard-bearer of Chinese culture, thereby further promoting international cultural interaction.
The delegation included ACC Chairman Emeritus Elizabeth J. McCormack, Chairman Wendy O'Neill, Director David Rockefeller Jr. and Mrs. Rockefeller, and ACC Taiwan Foundation Chairman Douglas Tong Hsu (徐旭東).