On January 14-20, 2019, at the invitation of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China, Chairwoman Liu Jianhua of Chinese Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association (hereinafter referred to as “CAMAA”) led an 11-member delegation to the Taiwan Province of China to participate in the 25th Cross-Strait Abacus Seminar.

This seminar aimed to popularize the traditional abacus culture, promote the inheritance and protection of this intangible cultural heritage of mankind, discuss the teaching methods and concepts of abacus and mental arithmetic education, understand the current situation of abacus and mental arithmetic in Taiwan Province, enhance mutual understanding between the two sides of the Strait, and deepen the national feeling of the Chinese people as a whole. It is reported that since 1991, CAMAA and Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China have held a Cross-Strait Abacus Seminar every year. So far, 24 seminars have been held.

The CAMAA delegation arrived in Taipei at noon on January 14, and immediately after getting off the plane, the delegation went directly to Taoyuan Multi- Education Association for visit and exchanges. Ms. Mei-Ling Shih, Chairwoman of Taoyuan Multi- Education Association, expounded on the development process of the Association as well as the development of abacus and mental arithmetic courses.

On the afternoon of January 14, 2019, the CAMAA delegation attended the 25th Cross-Strait Abacus Seminar sponsored by Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China. The CAMAA delegation consisted of 11 members and the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China delegation consisted of 15 members. Chiu-Yung Hsiao, Vice Chairman of Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China, and Liu Jianhua, Chairwoman of CAMAA, addressed the Seminar. A total of 3 representatives from Chinese Taiwan’s abacus circle spoke at the meeting, respectively expounding on the current situations of abacus education for the elderly, in kindergartens and the training of abacus teachers.

Xue Xiaorong, Chairman of Xi’an Municipal Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic and the Executive Director of Changchun Municipal Abacus Association, made speeches at the meeting respectively. They expounded on their work in promoting the development of abacus and mental arithmetic, shared their experience on how to carry out abacus and mental arithmetic education on the Internet, as well as how they launch the first knowledge competition on “Chinese Abacus Skill” to protect the intangible cultural heritage of mankind and promote the development of abacus and mental arithmetic. 

(Seminar)

Chairwoman Liu Jianhua, on behalf of CAMAA, presented medals to 10 outstanding individuals and units who have made contributions to the education of abacus and mental arithmetic in Chinese Taiwan, in recognition of their contributions to the development of the traditional Chinese culture, namely abacus culture. The representatives of CAMAA and Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan, China exchanged gifts with each other. On behalf of the World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic (hereinafter referred to as “WAAMA”),  Chairwoman Liu Jianhua presented membership certificates and director certificates to the member units and directors of WAAMA in Chinese Taiwan. From the beginning to the end, the seminar was permeated with a harmonious and friendly atmosphere, fully reflecting the sincere emotion of “One Big Family on Both Sides of the Taiwan Strait”.

In the following days, the delegation visited the abacus and mental arithmetic education organizations in Taipei, Chiayi, Pingtung, Kaohsiung and Taichung. They had academic exchanges with Math Association for Chinese Abacus &Mental Arithmetic, Taiwan, China in Taipei, Taiwan Abacus  Education Association, Taiwan, China, Taipei Municipal Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic, Pingtung County Chamber of Commerce, Kaohsiung Municipal Association of Abacus and Mathematics and Taiwan Calculation Association, Taiwan, China and made field trips to local abacus and mental arithmetic training institutions.

(Chairwoman Liu Jianhua Presents Gifts to Vice Chairman Chiu-Yung Hsiao)

The delegation had the following takeaways:

First, through academic exchanges, the traditional friendship between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait has been further enhanced, the common will of the two sides to carry forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture has been consolidated, and the fraternity of “One Big Family on Both Sides of the Taiwan Strait” has been fully reflected.

Second, we have gained a deep understanding of the current situation of abacus and mental arithmetic education in Chinese Taiwan for children, primary schoolers and the elderly. At the same time, we have perceived that people in Chinese Taiwan who are engaged in abacus and mental arithmetic education are looking forward to having exchange with abacus and mental arithmetic-related organizations in the Chinese mainland in the fields of teaching and marketing for the practice of operating abacus beads with both hands.

Third, the seminar has further promoted the comprehensive spreading of abacus culture in Chinese Taiwan and expanded the space for creative changes and innovative development of abacus and mental arithmetic.