《TAIPEI TIMES》 Officials, politicians greet temple-goers

By Wu Su-wei, Yu Chao-fu and Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporters, with staff writer

Government officials and political figures distributed red envelopes at temples across the nation yesterday, the first day of the Year of the Rabbit, extending their greetings to the public and voicing their political hopes for the new year.

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President Tsai Ing-wen （蔡英文） visited the Juesiou Temple （覺修宮） and the Dalongdong Baoan Temple （大龍峒保安宮） in Taipei, and prayed for a safe and prosperous year for the country, and a peaceful and happy life for people.

She also distributed 2,000 red envelopes to the temples’ visitors.

Vice President William Lai （賴清德） started his nationwide temple visits from the Zhaoling Temple （昭靈宮） in New Taipei City’s Wanli District （萬里）, where more than 200 people lined up to receive a red envelope from him.

Lai, who was elected chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party earlier this month, said that in the new year, he would lead the party in promoting democracy and peace, and prioritize economic development.

Chinese Nationalist Party （KMT） Chairman Eric Chu （朱立倫） and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an （蔣萬安） of the KMT visited Taipei’s Longshan Temple （龍山寺）, where Chu said he prayed for the prosperity of the country and people, adding that he hoped Taipei would make great progress under Chiang’s leadership.

New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi （侯友宜） of the KMT yesterday visited the Cihui Temple （慈惠宮） and the Jieyun Temple （接雲寺） in the city’s Banciao District （板橋）, distributing 1,200 red envelopes to worshipers and wishing them good health.

Taiwan People’s Party （TTP） Chairman Ko Wen-je （柯文哲） and Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao （高虹安） of the TPP visited temples around Hsinchu City and handed out red envelopes.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou （郭台銘）, who has political watchers wondering whether he would make another bid for the presidency next year, distributed red envelopes to visitors at the Cihui Temple.

He said he hoped that the nation’s leader would ensure peace for Taiwan, lead the country in reviving the economy and eliminate corruption.

Additional reporting by Yang Hsin-hui, Lin Hsin-han, Hung Mei-hsiu and CNA

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES