Cartoon exhibition marks Taiwan governor's 180th anniversary

TAIPEI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition of cartoons depicting the life of Liu Mingchuan, the first governor of Taiwan Province, opened to visitors in Taipei's Ming Chuan University on Friday, as part of the commemorations of the 180th anniversary of his birth.

The event consists of 87 works, curated by Yang Hsin-i, president of Taiwan's Chinese Cartoonists Union, and will be on display for about three months.

Born in Hefei in east Anhui Province, Liu (1836-1896) was a general during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). He led the successful resistance of invading French forces in 1884 when the Sino-French war broke out, and the following year was appointed the first governor of Taiwan Province.

During his term of office (1885-1891), Liu made great contributions to defense, improving administration, and developing the island's economy with railways, coal mines and schools.

"We hope the event will remind more people on the island of the part of history when the Chinese nation was humiliated by foreign powers," Shen Yongfeng, deputy secretary-general of the China Association for Promotion of Culture, said at the opening ceremony of the event.

Around 200 people, including teachers and students of the university, named after Liu, attended the event.

Also on Friday, a contest encouraged university students to create cartoon images of Liu opened to commemorate the governor. The winners will receive their prizes in Hefei City at the end of December, according to organizers.