Ma promises to lead nation through crisis

“I promise to you that the government will do everthing it can to create a new beginning for the Taiwanese people,” Ma said. “If winter comes, can spring be far behind? I will not fail the people who have put so much trust in me.”

The address was televised at 6:00 p.m., when family members gathered together to eat their Lunar New Year's Eve dinner, perhaps the most important meal of the year.

Taiwan's restaurants, markets, stores and other service providers closed early yesterday to mark the occasion. Most of them will not open until at least after Jan. 28, the third day of the Lunar Year.

This year marks the Year of the Ox on the Chinese zodiac. The year is in between the Year of the Rat and the Year of the Tiger.

In the address, Ma reflected on the achievements the government and the people made last year, including a peaceful transition of power and improved cross-strait ties.

However, Ma also spoke on the unprecedented financial crisis that has affected all parts of the world, including Taiwan. To combat the crisis, the government initiated the i-Taiwan infrastructure projects, made sure that people's bank deposits were covered in full, provided jobs and distributed NT$3,600 in consumption vouchers for all citizens.

“The recession did have an impact on all of us, yet we remain hopeful. After all, Taiwan is our home. Even though we're faced with a crisis of historic proportion, I believe by working together, we'll all make it through the hard times and achieve even more success.”

Ma spoke in three dialects — Mandarin, Taiwanese and Hakka. The Mandarin edition lasted about three minutes, while the other two lasted about two minutes each.

Ma delivered the speech wearing traditional-style clothes. The address was intercut with footage of various events that occurred last year.

Earlier in the day, Ma kept a full schedule and visited various places in Taipei County.

In the morning, he visited the home of Cheng Chao-san in Juifang, where he spent a few nights during his “long-stay journey” while campaigning for the election last year. People of the township were excited by the president's visit, taking pictures of Ma and asking him to pose with them. Three girls recited ancient Chinese literary work before the president, winning the applause of all who were there. Cheng, meanwhile, presented several gifts with local flavors to Ma.

Then, Ma, accompanied by Taipei County Magistrate Chou Hsi-wei, visited the Juifang Police Department. Ma handed out red envelopes full of cash to on-duty officers and firefighters as a token of appreciation.

Ma also visited several temples in the county, including Fucheng Temple in Sanzhi, Fuyou Temple in Danshui and Guandu Temple. Ma prayed for Taiwan's peace and prosperity in the coming year.

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