Taichung City celebrated New Year’s Day today with simultaneous events at the Municipal Government Building and Longjing District. Both locations held flag-raising ceremonies, hiking and walking activities, as well as holiday markets and lucky draws to warmly welcome the new year.

Enthusiastic locals turned up early to gather, singing the national anthem of the Republic of China together, saluting the flag, exchanging New Year greetings, and ushering in the new year as a sea of flags fluttered in the breeze.

The flag-raising ceremony at the plaza in front of the Municipal Government Building was presided over by Taichung Mayor Hu Jhih-huang. The event was lively, featuring walking activities and a holiday market. The walk took place along roads near the government building, which were under traffic control. After the hike, a lucky draw was held on-site, giving away 280 bicycles.

A female university student surnamed Hong, wearing small national flag stickers on her face and holding a small flag in her hand, came to join the flag-raising. She said that as a Taichung resident, she had wanted to attend the municipal government’s New Year’s Day flag-raising ceremony every year but always overslept. Today was the first time she made it, and she was thrilled and excited.

An elderly couple surnamed Gu pushed their newborn baby in a stroller decorated with a national flag to join the flag-raising. Mr. Gu noted that he loves Taichung and that his family had just moved from Taipei to Taichung not long ago. They felt it was very meaningful to participate in the city’s flag-raising ceremony.

The flag-raising ceremony in Longjing District was co-hosted by Lin Shih-chang, President of the Taichung City Council, and Hsu Chung-hsiung, Vice Mayor of Taichung City. This was followed by a mountain hiking activity spanning approximately 3 kilometers. At the finish line, there were performances and lucky draw activities, including more than 70 prizes such as LCD TVs, mini refrigerators, microwave ovens, and bicycles. 1030101

(Central News Agency)