00:00It's a big day for Taiwan's publishing industry, with a major yearly book fair kicking off in Taipei's World Trade Center.
00:12And this year's theme, reading is amazing, struck a chord with the president.
00:30With AI reshaping how people access information, the global publishing industry is changing fast.
00:46But industry leaders say the core value of reading and the hands-on experience of books remains unchanged.
00:52We have to keep something fundamental, very traditional, like how do we believe the value of knowledge, or the value of reading.
01:05Why the people read books, print out books, is more meaningful or even more interesting than reading everything on the screens.
01:18This year, over 500 publishers joined dozens of authors from Taiwan and around the world for the event.
01:25And while 29 countries participated, Thailand is this year's guest of honor, with its theme, Creativity, reflecting what its people have to offer.
01:35Here, the Thai Pavilion presents dozens of books, and among them, a number related to the LGBTQ plus community, such as this one I'm holding.
01:42They belong to a genre called BL, or boys' love, and GL, or girls' love, centered on same-sex romances.
01:50In Thailand, especially about the BL and GL books, they have been adapted into many TV series and dramas and movies.
02:01Their popularity is skyrocketing.
02:02And I think for now, in our exhibition, there are around 10 or 15 percent of the books here are the BL and GL.
02:14And I think Taiwanese people will like them.
02:18Authors also made the trip to the event to share their insights and engage with readers.
02:22It's my second time participating in the Taipei International Book Exhibition.
02:29This also means that I represent many other Thai writers to come here.
02:33This participation has helped me broaden my horizons and learn more.
02:36I am honored to come here.
02:38The Taipei International Book Exhibition is once again bringing book lovers from around the world together,
02:44showcasing Taiwan's place in global storytelling and turning a new page in regional Thais,
02:49while presenting the best the publishing world has to offer.
02:53Devon Tsai and Sunny Chi for Taiwan Plus.
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