After people rang in 2025 across Taiwan, thousands gathered at the Presidential Office for the country's traditional New Year's Day flag-raising ceremony. It was President Lai Ching-te's first New Year's flag-raising since taking office.
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00:00A new day, a new year.
00:14Thousands of people have gathered at Taiwan's presidential office to mark the first day
00:19of 2025 with the traditional flag-raising ceremony.
00:24People arrived before dawn, braving chilly weather to witness President Lai Ching-teh
00:27and Vice President B. Kim Hsiao ring in the new year.
00:31I haven't come to Taiwan for the new year in Taipei for a long time, so I thought I'd
00:34come and see it when I have time.
00:37It's a new year, so I thought I'd come and experience the flag-raising ceremony and
00:41feel it.
00:42It's my first time to see the 101 fireworks.
00:44I thought it was already 1 or 2 o'clock, so I thought I'd come and enjoy it.
00:47We have to walk to get here.
00:48We have to walk from Xinyi to get here.
00:50How long do we have to walk?
00:51One hour.
00:52One hour.
00:53Because we love our country.
00:54Taiwan number one.
00:56This is Lai's first New Year's flag-raising ceremony since becoming president.
01:01But he did attend last year in his capacity as vice president.
01:05In his first address to the nation in 2025, Lai wished the people a happy new year.
01:11Dear compatriots, we share joys and sorrows together.
01:16We share joys and sorrows together.
01:19We are a family.
01:22We are Team Taiwan.
01:25The celebrations started early and will continue on throughout the day.
01:29A highlight of this year's program is a performance from Indonesian migrant worker band Juba Hitam.
01:38Their inclusion highlights the important role migrant workers play in Taiwan's society.
01:43Aside from performances, there's also going to be a market, movie screenings and seminars.
01:48All to celebrate the beginning of 2025.
01:51Justin Woo and Leslie Liao for Taiwan Plus.
01:55For more information, visit www.taiwanplus.com