Taichung, Central Taiwan, June 25 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian visited a centuries-old temple Monday in Taichung as part of the celebrations for the Dragon Boat Festival.
The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most important Chinese festivals and the president chose to mark the day with a visit to the Wanhe Temple in Taichung, central Taiwan, where he was welcomed by thousands of worshipers and people from nearby shops.
Accompanied by several government officials responsible for cultural affairs, Chen offered incense to the folk deity Matsu, the Goddess of the Sea, one of the most popular deities in Taiwan.
Chen said he was happy to see the positive spirit of the local people and said that this was not the first time that he had visited the 317-year-old Wanhe Temple. Chen said that the temple was well-known for the many charitable activities that it had sponsored in years past. He also said the temple has set a good example of compassion and has contributed much to society.