'Taiwan Travelogue' Editions Reprinted Worldwide, U.S. Edition Specifically Printed in Taiwan

(Central News Agency reporter Chiu Tsu-Yin, Taipei, 17th) After 'Taiwan Travelogue' won the 'International Booker Prize,' reprinting continues across international editions. The United States has directly designated printing in Taiwan, with orders starting at 10,000 copies. Literary agent Gray Tan stated, 'This is not just an order—it is the result of geopolitics and cultural identity intersecting.'

Following its award, the Chinese-language edition has been reprinted up to 100,000 copies, while translated editions in the U.S., U.K., Japan, and other countries are also facing supply shortages. The U.S. edition, already reprinted three times (10,000 copies each), has now decided to print its fourth batch of 10,000 copies at Taiwan's 'Honglan Color Printing Co., Ltd. (Honglan Printing).'

Tan told the Central News Agency, 'In the past, overseas printing of Western books was heavily centered in China, with very few printed in Taiwan. The U.S. decision this time is particularly significant.'

The decision to print the U.S. edition in Taiwan was facilitated by Tan. According to Tan, the U.S. edition of 'Taiwan Travelogue' is published by Graywolf Press and distributed by Macmillan Publishing Company. During Macmillan's internal assessment of the Taiwan order, they noticed the large volume and, through colleagues familiar with the Taiwan market, reached out to Tan, who introduced Honglan Printing, a firm experienced in international orders.

Tan explained, 'For years, international publications have primarily been manufactured in China, but this time is different. Geopolitical factors make it impossible for publishers to choose China for printing, and since 'Taiwan Travelogue' is fundamentally about Taiwan, printing it in Taiwan feels like the most natural choice.' These combined factors, he said, 'have allowed Taiwan's printing factories to secure a place in the international book market for the first time.'

Hyeon Jung, Manager of Open Markets at Macmillan's International Division, responded in writing to the Central News Agency, stating that the decision to print the book in Asia was based not only on strong demand in the Taiwan market but also on the belief that Taiwanese readers and distribution channels would welcome books labeled 'Printed in Taiwan.' The publisher, Graywolf Press, strongly supports this initiative.

Jung added, 'We hope that local printing in Taiwan will significantly shorten delivery time to readers. The book has already received numerous honors, and we aim to maintain this momentum and further expand our readership. This undoubtedly opens the door for more books to be printed in Taiwan in the future.'

Chen Shih-Fang, Chairman of Honglan Printing, told the Central News Agency that while his company has previously handled international orders—sometimes reaching up to a million copies—recent years have seen weaker publishing demand, with domestic print runs of 500 to 1,000 copies becoming standard. The 10,000-copy U.S. edition of 'Taiwan Travelogue' is therefore a rare and valuable opportunity. 'We will do our best to deliver,' he said. (Editor: Lin Shu-Hui) 1150617