Culture Minister Li Yuan held a press event on June 24 to mark his first month in office. He emphasized that now is the best time for the rise of “Taiwanese Wave,” noting that the Ministry of Culture will play a supportive role instead of a directorial one in bolstering the creative energy of artists.
Reflecting on his time serving on the jury panel of the Golden Horse Awards alongside South Korean film director Lee Chang-dong in 2011, Minister Li said that the director praised Taiwanese films and television programs for highlighting humanity through exploring historical and societal issues. Nevertheless, Minister Li felt the entertainment industry in Taiwan at that time was almost defeated by the Korean Wave.
In recent years, however, Taiwanese film and television industry has been rising and shining on the international stage with quality productions by a new generation of directors such as Yang Ya-che (楊雅喆) and John Hsu (徐漢強), said Minister Li.
Minister Li stressed that the ministry will continue to support Taiwan’s artisits by offering assistance and sponsorships. He said, “No matter how good a country’s economy is, it is still a lifeless society without a thriving culture.”