Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) The Taiwan government launched a website Thursday to help promote the country's comic books and to create a platform for illustrators, comic artists and readers to share information.

The website, set up recently by the Government Information Office (GIO), includes sections such as the history of Taiwanese comics, news related to locally and foreign produced comics, and newly published comic books. It has also has a discussion forum and a section that introduces local comic artists.

Comic artists can now post their work on the website and also interact with readers, GIO Minister Philip Yang said at the official launch of the website in Taipei.

"Comics are not just a form of entertainment," Yang said, adding that they have now become part of Taiwan's soft power and can help promote the country's international image.

The website integrates many resources in the field of comics and brings together Taiwanese comic artists who used to work individually, said Texi Hsia, chairman of the Taipei-based Chinese Animation and Comic Publishers Association.

A group of eight Taiwanese comic fans also attended the event, dressed in the costumes that portrayed comic characters.

One of the fans, a 30-year-old Taiwanese identified as Bella, praised the government's establishment of the website.

"This helps promote Taiwan's outstanding comic artists who may not be well-known," Bella said.

She suggested that the government continue to seek out less well-known comic artists and promote their work to help make the website better. (By Elaine Hou)