A '''Cross-strait language database''' is an online [[Chinese language|Chinese]] word [[database]] launched by the General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC) in 2012 to store information about different Chinese characters and words usage exchanges.<ref name="taip1">[{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2012/02/09/2003525026] |title=Ma applauds cross-strait online Chinese dictionary |publisher=Taipei Times |date=2012-02-09 |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref>
==2008-2009==
In 2008 Taiwan president [[Ma Ying-jeou]] initially planned to deliver a [[cross-strait]] cultural exchange dictionary (中華大辭典) that people on either side of the strait [[Taiwan]] or [[mainland China]] can use.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://news.hkheadline.com/instantnews/news_content/201202/08/20120208e115200.html?cat=e] |title=頭條日報 頭條網 - 中華語文知識庫上線連結兩岸 |publisher=News.hkheadline.com |date=2012-02-08 |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref><ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/china-taiwan-relations/2012/02/09/331057/Online-databases.htm] |title=Online databases detail cross-strait languages |publisher=The China Post |date=2012-02-09 |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref> Further discussions were held in July 2009 at [[Changsha]] on the collaboration of the project and reduce the differences between the different sets of characters.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://news.rti.org.tw/index_newsContent.aspx?nid=340253&id=5&id2=1] |title=中華語文知識庫上線 兩岸「書同文」跨大步 - 中央廣播電臺新聞頻道 |publisher=News.rti.org.tw |date=2012-02-08 |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref> For example the Chinese word for software is known as "ruanti" (軟體) in Taiwan, but "ruanjian" (軟件) in mainland China.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/china-taiwan-relations/2012/02/09/331057/p2/Online-databases.htm] |title=Online databases detail cross-strait languages |publisher=The China Post |date=2012-02-09 |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref> The database could help point out differences in the divergence of words caused by over 60 years of separation between the two regions.
==2012==
On February 8, 2012 a press conference was held to open up the database. While Ma have said there are no political intentions. He did defend the use of [[traditional Chinese characters]].<ref name="taip1" /> He said [[Simplified Chinese characters]] are too streamlined, and there is no logic requiring pure memorization.<ref name="cna1">[{{cite web|url=http://www2.cna.com.tw/News/aALL/201202130253.aspx] |title=府：中華語文知識庫 無關統獨 | 新聞總覽 | 中央社即時新聞 CNA-NEWS.COM |publisher=.cna.com.tw |date=2012-02-10 |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref> For example the characters for [[Han Chinese|Han]] (漢), the surname [[Deng (surname)|Deng]] (鄧) and the word for theatre (戲) has no relation. But the simplified form make it appear as if they are related:（汉）,（邓）,（戏）.<ref name="cna1" /> There were also questions from educational panels that this project may violate the "language neutrality act" (語言平等法) since Taiwan has many languages including aboriginal languages.<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://n.yam.com/lihpao/garden/201202/20120212357888.html] |title=批華文知識庫 台教會反「書同文」-文教新聞-yam蕃薯藤新聞 |publisher=N.yam.com |date= |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref>
Taiwan released a version at [http://chinese-linguipedia.org Chinese-linguipedia.org], and mainland China released their own version at [http://www.zhonghuayuwen.org Zhonghuayuwen.org].<ref>[{{cite web|author=张晓静 |url=http://www.chinataiwan.org/xwzx/la/201202/t20120209_2283566.htm] |title=两岸合作开通“中华语文知识库网站” |publisher=Chinataiwan.org |date=2012-02-09 |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref><ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.nownews.com/2012/02/08/301-2783135.htm] |title=首部雲端專業版兩岸華文詞庫 中華語文知識庫正式上線 | 政治新聞 | NOWnews 今日新聞網 |publisher=Nownews.com |date= |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref>
