Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

President Ma Ying-jeou, acting in his capacity as the President of the General Association of the Scouts of China, passed the flag on the morning of July 25 at the Presidential Office to the contingent from Taiwan that will be taking part in the 22nd World Scout Jamboree. The president encouraged the scouts to put in an outstanding performance during the event and win distinction for the nation.

President Ma explained that the scouting movement began in 1907 when Robert Baden-Powell, a lieutenant general in the British army, held the first scouting encampment. The objective of the activity was to supplement traditional book learning with education directly applicable to life, family, and society. The scouting movement has received an enthusiastic response over the past century, and scouting organizations are now established in all free and democratic nations, he said.

The president remarked that the ROC's first scouting organization was established in 1912, and the movement has experienced vibrant development over the years. President Ma pointed out that the ROC sent a contingent of over 500 scouts to attend the World Scout Jamboree in 2007 to mark the 100th anniversary of the scouting movement. He added that a scout jamboree was held earlier this year at Chengcing Lake in Kaohsiung to mark the centenary of the ROC, and scouts from throughout the world participated in the event.

The president wished a smooth journey to the scouts, who will soon be taking part in this year's World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. Over 40,000 people are expected to join in the activity. The president called on the scouts to demonstrate the fruits of their training during the event, and to put in an outstanding performance in the various activities where life-oriented education, survival techniques, and coping abilities are challenged. Furthermore, the president also expressed his admiration for the many years of hard work contributed by Scouts of China Chairman Chao Shou-Po (趙守博) to the scouting movement.