Taiwan's culture industry is facing increasing challenges with the opening of the local market in the wake of the island's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), reports reaching Hong Kong from Taipei said Wednesday.

A local cultural official was quoted as saying that the Taiwan authorities should work out measures to explore the characteristics of local culture as the local culture industry will definitely feel the impact of globalization.

According to the official, the Taiwan authorities formed a special committee in charge of integrated planning and development of local communities in 1994. An important task of the committee is to promote the local culture industry.

While impressive results have been achieved in community development, more efforts are required in developing the culture industry, the official said.

He urged to promote a "local cultural centers" program around the island, encouraging local communities to set up cultural centers to accommodate traditional performing arts as well as cultural exhibitions.

As the cultural centers featuring local characteristics in architecture, music, drama and folklore can become tourist attractions, they will therefore also help the economies of the communities prosper, the official said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2002)