Central and Eastern European Center of SCU publishes a significant reference book “Discovering Czech”

Soochow University’s Central and Eastern European Center (CEEC) recently published Discovering Czech, the second book of Central European Countries Series after the first volume, Discovering Hungary, was published in 2014.

The new book features essential information on Czech Republic, on its history, politics, economics, cultural heritage, architecture, education, law and society, written by several experts and researchers under the editorship of Wei-Ta Pan, President of Soochow University, and Chia-Ming Chang, Chairman of CEEC.

At a celebration of the book’s publication held on March 7, President Pan pointed out that in recent years the Czech market has become a popular investing choice for Taiwan entrepreneurs so that such wide-ranging information is helpful for all types of exchanges between the two countries. He affirmed that Discovering Czech should become a significant reference tool for Taiwan businessmen, academicians and politicians who are interested in getting to know Czech Republic. In his remarks, Pan also expressed his deep gratitude for valuable insights provided by the former ambassador to Czech, Chung-Jen Chiu, and gave CEEC credit for outstanding research, teaching and academic exchanges.

Václav Jílek, the current representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office, noted that two years ago when he visited CEEC, he came upon a copy of Discovering Hungary, and expressed the hope that CEEC could issue a similar volume to introduce Czech history and society to Taiwanese readers. Now with the publication of the book he is excited and expects many Taiwanese to come to know his homeland.

Chun-Min Tsai, Chairman of the Taiwan Business Association in Czech Republic, mentioned that Czech is the one of the gateways to Central and Eastern Europe so that learning about Czech society is an appropriate first step for Taiwan businessmen to explore markets in Central and Eastern Europe. In sharing Pan’s opinion, he stated that Discovering Czech would serve as a guide to help Taiwanese companies make headway in Central and Eastern Europe.

Co-editor Chang said that after the publication of Discovering Czech, CEEC is planning to issue Discovering Slovakia and Discovering Poland to complete its Central European Countries Series, thereby providing essential resources for Taiwan’s people and overseas Chinese to develop an appreciation of these four countries, Hungary, Czech, Slovakia and Poland, known as the Višegrad Group in Central and Eastern Europe.