The world of literary arts is one filled with innumerable Pandora’s boxes; an idea, once unleashed, can never be extinguished. The thirst for knowledge and truth is inseparable from human nature, and no force can forever prevent worthy ideas from the light of day. The world may be wide, yet the modern Chinese-speaking world has but one place where literature and ideas can be freely shared, regardless of content or background.

The Taipei International Book Fair is an annual event held by the publishing industry in Taiwan. The Book Fair exhibits works from publishers around the world, and in February of 2018 featured the “China’s Forbidden Books” exhibition curated by authors Bei-Ling and Meng Lang. Hand-picked by the two accomplished poets, the collection of literature published only in Taiwan presents perspectives from the Chinese-speaking world that cannot be read anywhere else!

Bei Ling is a poet, an editor, a publisher, and one of the founders of an independent Chinese authors’ association. Living in the United States of America since his exile from China, Bei Ling has tried to return to Beijing to visit his parents four times, each time intercepted and repatriated at the airport. Now spending his time between the USA and Taiwan, Bei Ling continues to devote his efforts to a free industry of Chinese publishing.