The earth was still shrouded in darkness and chill at 4 a.m., but the streets of Taipei were alive with people. They had put on heavy jackets and sports shoes, and walked or jogged in the direction of the red-brick Presidential Office headquarters in downtown Taipei. They were all going to attend the dawn flag-raising ceremony to mark the 70th year of the founding of the Republic of China, which coincided with New Year's Day on Jan. 1.
City buses started running at 4:30 a.m. and wave after wave of motor vehicles could be seen converging on the square. In the end, more than 100,000 people from all over the country arrived to show their spirit of unity, self-reliance and patriotism. One bus driver, Yao Kai-yang, gave pedestrians a free lift until his vehicle was filled to overflowing.
From afar, the people could see the Presidential Building outlined in colorful lights. Chinese characters meaning "70th founding year of the Republic of China," and "in commemoration of the founding of the Republic of China" shimmered in the cold air.
At 5:50 a.m., the Presidential square was jammed with people waiting for the ceremony to begin, and the demonstration band of the Ministry of National Defense began to play patriotic songs. Those still on their way quickened their pace to join in the ceremony.
Participants ranged from members of families, clubs and school groups to performing artists in TV and movies. Yang Ssu-yung, a mainland student who has settled in Taiwan, said he hoped the ROC flag would be hoisted everywhere on the mainland in the near future. His father, Yang Chia-lo, mother, wife and son all arrived at the square early in the morning.
A group of handicapped youths leaned on sticks as they stood silently in the crowd. Sixteen reservists from Kushan district of Kaohsiung city came all the way from southern Taiwan to attend the ceremony. "We will come again next year," they averred.
"The Solidarity Self-Reliance Association of the Republic of China," a private organization which inspired the activity, prepared some 100,000 stickers printed with the words "Love your home town, but love your country more" for the participants.
As the first rays of the sun broke through the darkness at 6:30 a.m., the band began to play the national anthem and flag song, and the Republic of China's national flag of "white sun in the blue sky over the crimson ground" was slowly raised.
People waiting patiently in the early morning chill were overcome by an indescribable feeling of sublimity. Blood rushed to their faces as they felt united with their country and their fellow men, and revered their national anthem and national flag.
When the U.S. broke diplomatic relations with the ROC at the end of 1978, tens of thousands of people converged for the flag-hoisting ceremony held at the Presidential Office building on the New Year's Day of 1979. The participants, moved by the solemn scene and the singing of the national anthem, felt that their hearts were closely united and a belief that "solidarity is strength" was firmly implanted.
Two years have passed since then, and the government and people are even more united in facing adversity and obstacles. Each year, the flag-hoisting ceremony on New Year's Day attracts more people from all over the island.
After the ceremony, all the participants sang in chorus such songs as "Ode to the Republic of China," "I Love China," "Chinese People From the Four Seas," and "China Will Be Strong," before they went to pay homage to the late President Chiang Kai-shek at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall nearby. All kinds of activities and performances, including dragon, lion and folk dances and Chinese classical music programs took place to mark the start of the 70th year of the founding of the Republic of China.
[Picture Caption]
Tens of thousands of people converged at the Presidential square for the dawn flag-hoisting ceremony to mark the 70th year of the founding of the Republic of China. Students, a handicapped old lady in a wheel chair, and Yang Ssu-yung, a mainland student who has settled in Taiwan, and members of his family all arrived at the square early in the morning, to marvel at the significant pageant.
After the ceremony, all kinds of activities and performances, including dragon, lion, and folk dances, were held in the park of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
Over 100,000 people attend the flag raising ceremony.
This old man and child brave the cold morning air to participate in this New Year's celebration.
Premier Sun （3rd man from left）, his family, and distinguished guests.
Many overseas Chinese returned for the New Year's Day festivities.
Children waving the Chinese flag.
Fong Fei-fei （in blue）, a well known singer in Taiwan, leads the group from CTV, one of Taiwan's major television stations.
Also present at the flag raising ceremony a group of Taiwan aborigines.
One of the many lively performances at the New Year's celebration.
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