Taiwan’s largest and most beloved museum of traditional Chinese art – the National Palace Museum – has opened a southern branch museum which will feature Asian arts and culture.
President Ma Ying-jeou was at the inauguration on Monday, along with the vice president, premier, and a host of other government officials. Hollywood star Jacky Chan was also on hand; he presented the museum with bronze replicas of twelve animal heads from the Old Summer Palace in Beijing. The pieces will go on display in the museum’s courtyard.
In a speech at the opening, President Ma lauded the museum’s architect, Kris Yao, who used Chinese brush painting as inspiration.
“Yao incorporated Chinese culture into the design for the National Palace Museum’s Southern Branch, fusing the most advanced engineering technology with the most ancient cultural forms," said Ma.
"He himself practiced Chinese calligraphy, incorporating three different styles in the design, which was no simple task," he said. "It is very meaningful, because when people visit in the future, they will be able to feel that the purpose of the museum is to promote Chinese culture.
The president also spoke about the 15 years it took to construct the museum, saying that it was too long.
The construction was delayed by contractual disputes and the devastating Typhoon Morakot, which caused serious flooding in the area.
Ma said that in the future, the Cabinet needs to rethink the planning for similar projects by government agencies which do not have their own construction agencies.