Lien, Ma visit weekend markets

KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) yesterday visited three weekend markets accompanied by Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeo (馬英九) and Taipei Council spokeswoman Wu Bi-chu (吳碧珠).

The Taipei Chienkuo Holiday Flower Market (建國假日花市), the Taipei Chienkuo Weekend Jade Exhibition (建國假日玉市) and the Taipei Holiday Store of Handicapped (建國假日商場) jointly held promotional activities from June 28 until yesterday to revitalize consumption and business activities affected by the SARS outbreak.

"The jade market and flower market have the dual function of doing business and promoting tourism, which the Taipei City Government planned to combine. We hope citizens come back to shop and business booms again," Ma said. "I [hope] everyone makes good money."

Lien said that the Chienkuo Weekend Jade Exhibition is the largest in Asia, with about 900 display stands, and is the best place for a vacation.

"Taiwan has recovered from SARS," Lien said.

"Seeing beautiful things makes people happy. I hope everyone comes here to shop more."

Ma accompanied Lien on the visit while their supporters touted slogans like "Lien Chan comes and the God of Wealth follows" and "Mayor's in and money's in."

Ma responded to Lien's suggestion to renovate the facilities at the markets and promised to build air conditioners to make shoppers feel comfortable on sweltering days.

"The Taipei City Government will go all out to deal with Chairman Lien's suggestions," Ma said.

Many supporters asked for Ma's signature and had their photographs taken with him.

Some bosses at the markets said that business is recovering.

"More or less. Business is better than during the SARS outbreak," said a man who sold jade bracelets and accessories.