Taipei, Jan. 29 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday he hopes that his administration will be successful in the new year after enduring much adversity over the past eight months.
Chen made the remarks during a New Year gathering of the Presidential Office staff on the first day of work after the weeklong Chinese New Year holiday.
Chen said he is very pleased to see the country emerge unscathed from the many harsh tests of the past year. "There had been speculation that our country might encounter some crises around the Lunar New Year. But with concerted efforts of the government and the private sector, we have managed to overcome many difficulties and prove the doomsayers wrong," Chen said.
Quoting the Chinese proverb that adversity, after reaching its extremity, is usually followed by felicity, President Chen said he is hopeful that happier days are ahead for the nation, after all the hardships it has endured.
"I know we will still face many severe challenges in the new year. But I'm convinced that so long as we have confidence in ourselves, trust each other and love this island, we'll be able to find way out," Chen stressed, adding that his administration will not fail to meet public expectations.