Premier Chang San-cheng today attended the opening ceremony for New Taipei City's 2016 Hakka Tung Blossom Festival, where he invited the public to come out and enjoy Taiwan's natural beauty.
"The Tung blossom season is the most beautiful time of year in Taiwan. The stalls lining the festival also offer a creative array of products, foods and gifts incorporating Tung flower designs," said the premier.
Premier Chang along with New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu and special guests opened the event by beating traditional drums and holding parasols (symbolizing virtue) with a group of young scouts.
According to the New Taipei City Government, the festival was launched 20 years ago in 1997 to celebrate the culture of the Hakka people. This year's opening ceremony was packed with programs including floral displays, tourism exhibitions, as well as music and dancing performances.