Tue, Jan 27, 2004 page3

• Taiwan Quick Take

  • STAFF WRITER, WITH AGENCIES
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  ■ Society

  Beaten for luck

  Thousands of faithful have been flocking to a Taoist temple in south Taiwan during the Lunar New Year holidays to be spanked and whipped to get rid of back luck, an online newspaper reported yesterday. Since Jan. 21, the first day of the Lunar Chinese New Year, thousands of faithful have been visiting the Dong Lung Gong temple in Tungkang to go through the century-old ritual to get rid of bad luck, ETtoday.com said. Although men receive spankings and women are whipped, the number of times is decided by Wang Ye (god) by burning incense and tossing two pieces of wooden blocks. "The templer staff only lightly spank or whip the faithful, but the faithful all go home happily, believing the luck will improve from now on," said a temple staff member, quoted by ETtoday.com.

  ■ Transportation

  Traffic flowing smoothly

  Major national freeways did not show signs of congestion yesterday morning as most drivers chose to take detours. As yesterday marked the fifth day of the new lunar year and signified a return to work, heavy traffic was expected. Traffic flow on major freeways remained steady at around 70kph to 80kph yesterday morning. The National Freeway Bureau said that toward the end of Lunar New Year celebration, there might be signs of congestion in metropolitan areas. Visitors to the 2004 Flower Expo in Changhua or scenic spots in Nantou and Hsiluo as well as to the Chingshui Rest Stop should avoid national freeways and take bypasses instead.

  ■ Diplomacy

  Lu criticizes Germany

  Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) has criticized on a TV show Germany's policy of sharing its high-tech weapons and nuclear reactor technology with China. Many countries spent a lot of money and time to fight terrorism last year, Lu said in the program Weltspiegel broadcast Sunday, adding that it is "unimaginable" that Germany would share high-tech weapons with a totalitarian regime. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said during a visit to China last December that in response to Beijing's support for Germany's reunification, Berlin would support China's Taiwan policy. He also said that Germany would sell nuclear reactor equipment constructed by Siemens to China. Schroeder also promised Beijing that he will request that the EU remove a ban it imposed in 1989 prohibiting selling weapons to China. While talking about President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) proposed referendum, Lu also criticized the leaders of various countries for appeasing Beijing.

  ■ Lunar New Year

  Spokesman takes time off

  Cabinet Spokesman Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) was among those who took time off for the Lunar New Year holidays. As the government spokesman, Lin, a father of two, has little time for himself, let alone for his family in Tainan County and friends, most of whom were activists he met in college. "Every Chinese New Year is the time for us to get together, reminisce about the good old days and talk about the future," he said. "The annual gathering started off as a bunch of bachelors and now it has grown into a bevy of parents." The bliss is no doubt unadulterated for Lin and yet transient because government employees are due back to work today from the six-day holiday.
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