A dragon boat float sponsored by Taiwan’s largest airline carrier, China Airlines (CAL), won the top prize at this year’s Rose Parade held in Pasadena, California, on Saturday to celebrate New Year’s Day.
The CAL dragon boat float, which showcased the Chinese tradition of dragon boat racing, but was also covered with plenty of Republic of China (ROC) flags, won the top prize for the 20th time in 25 appearances in the annual parade.
With rowers and drummers wearing scarves featuring the ROC national flag, the dragon boat float was designed especially to mark the ROC’s 100th year, said Chang Feng-ping (張鳳炳), director of CAL’s North America division.
PHOTO: AFP
According to Rose Parade sponsors, at least 70,000 people attended the parade and it was watched on television by 350 million people worldwide.
“I’m glad that the CAL float presented itself as a symbol of the ROC’s centennial year,” Chang said.
Chen Ke-jung (陳科榕), a Taiwanese expatriate who was one of the first people to take up a position on a Pasadena street for the parade, said he was absolutely thrilled to see so many ROC national flags on the float.
Another woman from Taiwan, who brought along her son to watch the parade, said she was particularly moved to see the rowers and drummers wearing ROC national flag scarves while they were performing.
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