Lai Ching-te has visited his hometown in northern Taiwan on the eve of the Lunar New Year and set out to convey a message of national unity during his first holiday address as president.
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00:00Happy New Year, and may you have a peaceful New Year.
00:05On the day before the Lunar New Year, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-de visited a temple in
00:09his hometown of Wanli, in the country's north.
00:13There he expressed his wishes for the New Year.
00:15In the past, I prayed for peace and harmony.
00:19Now, I pray for peace and stability in the country, and that everything goes smoothly.
00:23I pray for peace and prosperity in Taiwan, and that all is well.
00:27Lai's remarks come as southern Taiwan recovers from damage left by an earthquake that struck
00:31the region last week.
00:34During his first Lunar New Year's address as president, on Monday, Lai thanked the country's
00:39military and emergency responders for keeping the country safe during the holiday season.
00:45He also urged for unity in the government, as tensions persist between the ruling and
00:50opposition camps after the opposition-led legislature passed sweeping government budget
00:55cuts.
00:56I hope for peace and harmony in the government, and that the country continues to move forward.
01:05Like any country, Taiwan faces difficulties at home and abroad.
01:09But on Lunar New Year's Eve, those questions can wait at least one more day.
01:14Luffy Lee and Wesley Lewis for Taiwan Plus.