Life's Warmest Moments--The 2004 "Kiss to the Spirit of the Future" International Chinese Photography Competition

city's benches, where new lovers and old couples have sat together; children

getting piggybacks from their mothers in fields of flowers; moments where everyone shares a hearty laugh, while a girl milking a cows looks back and smiles; a young child, dressed in traditional clothing, mouth stretched wide in a yawn....

With last year having ended in such tragedy at the hands of Mother Nature, it is worth remembering that there are still innumerable blessings worth counting in life. The essence of the "Kiss to the Spirit of the Future" competition-respect for life, caring for others, coming closer to nature, and looking optimistically to the future-is particularly moving at a time like this, and can warm the hearts of all who behold the competition's pieces, giving everyone renewed strength with which to face the future.

This time around, the competition includes a special new section devoted to the increasingly popular field of digital photography, in the hope that through these new techniques, the audience will be able to see the direction photography is developing in. Across both the traditional and digital sections, the competition includes almost 14,000 entries from 20 countries in a vibrant demonstration of the true spirit of the global Chinese community. By bringing a smile to the hearts and minds of each of us, this competition will gradually spread goodwill further and further afield, in the hope that tears can give way to smiles around the world.

The 2004 "Kiss to the Spirit of the Future" competition and the 2005 exhibition of works by famous photographers from China and Taiwan will be on display at the Taipei National History Museum, February 11 to March 6; SOGO Taichung Department Store, Taichung, March 10 to 27; and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Tainan New Life Square, Tainan, March 31 to April 12 . Come on photography lovers, brave the spring showers and get a glimpse of a beauty and vision to vast to be taken in at once, a true vision of the spirit of spring!

"Axi Farming Maids 1," Liu Xiaoming, China. Shot on the Ruoergai Plateau, Abazhou, Sichuan. (Highly commended.)

"In the Round," Shen Yen-huang, Taiwan. Shot in Hong Kong. (Gold medal winner.)

"A Parent's Love," Zheng Gaohua, China. Shot in Yunnan. (Highly commended.)

"Sleepyhead," Chu A-lien, Taiwan. Shot in Wutai Township, Pingtung County. (Special distinction.)