BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- As three names of Taiwan authors appeared recently on a draft member list of the Chinese Writers' Association, the mainland-based writers' group is expected to accept, for the first time, writers from the island amid warming cross-Strait ties.
After consulting experts from various literary genres and current members, a total of 380 new members are to join the organization -- including three authors from Taiwan: Chu Hsiu-guen, Chen Ying-zhen and Monaneng.
"Writers on the list will be removed if they are found to have plagiarized others' works. Otherwise, their application will be approved," Chen Qirong, spokesman with the association, told Xinhua Sunday.
The list will be posted on its website from June 9 to 15 so members might have the opportunity to respond to the nominations.
No objections have yet been received regarding the three Taiwan writers' application, he said.
According to Chen, like other writers on the list, the three applied for membership on a voluntary basis, after which the association examined their applications for initial approval.
"The three writers and our association are very familiar with each other since they have been keeping active contact with us and participating in various activities of our group," Chen said.
Chu Hsiu-guen, born in 1936, is a novelist known for an exquisite writing style and her female perspective.
Chen Ying-zhen, 63, gained fame in both Taiwan and the mainland for fiction that mainly depicts the lives of urban intellectuals.
Another applicant, Monaneng, a local aboriginal poet, is known for his deep understanding of the island's ethnic issues.
"The three writers are all of very significant importance on the island," said spokesman Chen.
Chen said cross-Strait relations have been improving and Taiwan writers' desires to join mainland groups are stronger. The association has made preparations regarding this issue and made its member acceptance procedure more up to date.
Chen said the joining by the Taiwan authors would have positive effects on cross-Strait's literary communications.
According to the association's official website, the group, currently with 8,129 members, serves to promote Chinese literature by organizing awards, holding seminars on academic issues and assisting writers in creating works.
The association also plans to accept five members from Hong Kong and Macao this year.
In 2009 the association accepted seven members from the two regions, including martial arts novelist Louis Cha, better known by his pen name Jin Yong.
"Receiving these writers as our members will be beneficial for the development of Chinese literature," said Chen.
"In the future, the association will enlist more writers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan in accordance with the association's regulations and demands," he added. |
