Taipei, Feb. 6 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian seconded exiled mainland Chinese-born Nobel literature laureate Gao Xingjian's view Tuesday that literature's future lies in breaking the shackles of all types of ideology.
"Your ideology-free literary stand can serve as my guiding principle in handling sensitive issues related to relations across the Taiwan Strait," Chen told Gao when they met at the Presidential Office for wide-ranging talks.
Chen lauded Gao for his achievements in creative writing, saying Gao's winning of the 2000 Nobel Prize in literature was a marvelous event for all Chinese around the world. He also hailed Gao for standing up to political pressure from his homeland. "I'm pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate you on behalf of the Republic of China government and the 23 million people of Taiwan," Chen said.
Noting that literature is a way to show concern for life and humanity, Chen said literature does not need ideology, national borders or national identity.
The president further said respect for writers and literature is the measurement of the civility of a society. "I feels that politicians should be humble and respectful when they meet writers," Chen said, adding that he fully agrees with Gao's remarks in a recent speech in Hong Kong that politics cannot drive literature and that literature does not serve politics.
Chen went on to say that politics should not interfere with literary writing but should instead serve it. "I share your view that creative writing should not be restricted by any taboos or limits," the president told Gao.
For his part, Gao said he has made frequent visits to Taiwan since he fled mainland China in 1987. "I feel at home here. I have many local friends. Taiwan is not only home to Taiwanese people but also home to Chinese-language writers because it fully respects culture and arts, and allows arts and literature to fully express itself," he explained.