Print

Mail

wiki links

Presidential hike on Yangmingshan inspires the DPP

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday urged government officials and leading DPP members to stay closer to grassroots constituents and be confident about the country's future as he led them down a historical mountain trail on Yangmingshan.

"As the political party that best represents the public's voice, the DPP should concentrate on traditional values instead of focusing on gaining power for personal gain or fame," Chen said on the trail.

"We are here to see how our ancestors worked diligently," Chen said.

"And I hope that all of you will get out of your offices and seek to satisfy people's real needs and, more importantly, solve their problems."

Arranged by the Executive Yuan, Premier Yu Shyi-kun invited President Chen to attend the spring hike activity, which is a traditional way to celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the coming of spring.

The president also said the outing was aimed at encouraging the DPP team to "listen to the voice of the people."

Over 120 political leaders -- including about 30 DPP lawmakers, over half members of the Cabinet, and officials from the DPP and Presidential Office -- participated in the activity.

The trail originally measured 30km, but after decades of neglect, only 4km remain.

Considering the poor health condition of some elderly officials, the Executive Yuan arranged a short route of about 2.5km for the president and the rest of the participants.

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) and Taipei County Commissioner Su Chen-chang (蘇貞昌), Premier Yu Shyi-kun all remained close to Chen during the event.

Both Chen and the vice president slipped on the trail made wet by the previous day's rain. Lu told reporters that it didn't matter because "the president is protecting me" and Chen joked that he slipped deliberately for cameramen who were following him.

"I knew that all the cameramen were waiting for some special shots, and so I had to give them a surprise."

He also used his fall as an example to remind the government of the need to take risks.

"One should not be ashamed when one falls, you just need to quickly stand up and keep going forward," he said.

After ending the hike at a parking lot near Chinshan, Yu held a luncheon with all the participants and said that the hike was a successful interaction between government officials and an opportunity to explore Taiwan's spirit.

President Chen, who is also the DPP chairman, encouraged all party members to realize the Cabinet's goal of facilitating economic growth and to jointly fight for a better future. DPP members then sang and danced to wish Chen success in his bid for re-election.

This story has been viewed 2953 times.