The Abacus and Mental Mathematics Committee of Taiwan Provincial Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China (short for the “Provincial Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China”) held an annual executive committee meeting and a seminar among directors of various exam areas at the Provincial Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China on January 19. Chiu-Yung Hsiao, Vice Chairman of Taiwan Provincial Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China and Chairman of the Abacus and Mental Mathematics Committee, chaired the meeting. Honorary chairmen, vice chairmen, executive consultants, executive members, and directors of joint test and exam areas of abacus and mental arithmetic were invited to discuss the plan for promoting abacus skills in 2020 and the future development direction of abacus.

 In his speech, Vice Chairman Chiu-Yung Hsiao first expressed thanks to all members and teachers for their great support and hard work for the promotion of abacus and mental arithmetic of the Provincial Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China, adding that it’s their assistance that contributes to the successful conclusion of various abacus and mental arithmetic activities, math tests and the World Abacus Day Celebration Conference and Competition. In the past year, he participated in many abacus affairs and activities and saw the profound abacus culture and its great influence. The abacus has been transformed into a treasure integrating business, education, culture and healthcare functions. Looking forward, we will still face many challenges in the promotion of abacus and mental arithmetic, which requires us to strengthen communication and exchanges and work together to promote the abacus and mental arithmetic, so as to drive common development of abacus and mental arithmetic and create new value in this regard.

At the meeting, relevant personnel reported the efforts of the Abacus and Mental Mathematics Committee in promoting abacus skills in 2019 as well as its priorities in 2020, including 4 Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Assessment Tests per year (3/15, 5/17, 9/20, 12/20), 2 mathematics assessment tests (1/19, 6/21), 2 Cross-Strait Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Communication Competitions (5/24, 11/15), and the World Abacus Day Celebration Conference to be grandly opened in New Taipei City on August 2 (Sunday). It will also organize a series of abacus, abacus and mental arithmetic competitions and international invitational competitions; as well as mathematics competitions and international watch competitions, and will invite abacus groups at home and abroad to participate.

Vice Chairwoman Shi Meiling attended the meeting and shared her experience in studying photography in the past 10 years. The award-winning series of photos entitled “Abacus Image” were taken under the theme of abacus, with each photo having a story and meaning behind it. She also taught the participants the basic skills of photography composition and framing, and shared other contents in a lively and interesting way, winning high recognition from all participants. After the meeting, the Provincial Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China specially held a year-end networking dinner amid a joyous atmosphere, to extend gratitude to all members and teachers for their support to its promotion of abacus skills.

[This news is from the Monthly Journal of Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China]