OFF THE BEAT

Twelve years ago a baby girl was born in Taipei's Mackay Memorial Hospital. The 0.9kg baby was not expected to survive. The baby's parents, Mr and Mrs You, were unable to pay the medical care costs, so they handed their daughter over to the Christian Salvation Service for adoption. An Australian couple, known only as the Lawsons, adopted the girl and named her Amy.

When Amy was older, the Lawsons told her that her natural parents were from Taiwan and they still loved her. The Lawsons began to search for their daughter's "other parents." Last year, Mrs You received a phone call and was told that her baby girl was looking for her. The two families e-mailed each other and finally, two days ago, Amy arrived in Taiwan. She finally met her biological parents and other relatives, and will be traveling to southern Taiwan to see her grandparents soon.

From sex scandal to prayer meeting

In his first appearance in public since being forced from office over a sex scandal, former Presidential Office secretary-general John Chang (章孝嚴) was spotted visiting the mausoleum of his father, the late President Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國), on the eve of the 12th anniversary his death. The presence of the media -- who were waiting for him at the mausoleum in Touliao, Taoyuan County -- apparently took Chang and his wife by complete surprise. The pair declined to speak to reporters, but paid their respects by presenting flowers and making three ceremonial bows to a portrait of Chiang.

Chang's prayers may continue, as recent reports name him as part of a delegation heading to Washington next month to attend the annual White House breakfast prayer meeting.