President vows security in New Year's greeting

The president visited Bao'an Temple in the company Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin to pray for national prosperity and peace for the people on the Lunar New Year's Day.

He thanked the “bosses” — the nation's people – for giving him the opportunity of serving the country for another four years.

Ma vowed to use his life to defend national sovereignty and security as well as people's rights and benefits.

His major goals also include reinvigorating the nation's economy, offering better care for the disadvantaged people, maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait, and improving international friendliness toward Taiwan, Ma told the crowd gathered at the temple.

By tradition, Ma distributed auspicious New Year's blessing bags to people lining up for the presidential gifts.

He also accepted requests for posing for photos as well as New Year's hugs from some female supporters.

One in the crowd suggested Ma's wife, first lady Chow Mei-ching, run for president after Ma serves out his current term.

Ma gave his thanks for the suggestion for future plans without making any commitment. The first lady has enjoyed high popularity among Taiwan's voters for her integrity and assistance to the underprivileged.

Ma went to the home of former Vice President Lien, who is currently an honorary chairman of the ruling Kuomintang, to offer his New Year's greetings and to seek advice.

The president said he thanked Lien, who is also his teacher, for assistance in his re-election.

The two held a 30-minute private meeting without revealing the contents of their discussion.

Lien told reporters that he also offered New Year's greetings to the president.

He said he was glad that Taiwan will have a golden decade ahead under Ma's leadership.

Ma later went to Nantou in central Taiwan to offer New Year's greetings to former Judicial Yuan President Lin. Nantou is also the home town of Premier Wu Den-yi, who will assume the position of vice president at the inauguration ceremony on May 20.

Ma did not visit former President Lee Teng-hui, who was formerly the chairman of the Kuomintang, but later changed his stance to support the opposition Democratic Progressive Party.

But Vice President Vincent Siew did visit Lee, his former boss, to offer a New Year's greeting.

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