President Lai Participates in Hsinchu City God Festival, Drawing Unprecedented Crowds

Hsinchu City's historic City God Temple buzzed with unprecedented energy as President Lai Ching-te made history by becoming the first sitting president to join the annual "Chuchien Mid-Year City God Festival" procession. The event, a cornerstone of local culture and religious life, saw massive crowds gather to witness the City God's parade and blessing ceremony.

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Hsinchu City God Temple has a long history, nearly 280 years old. Especially Hsinchu City God Temple, it is the highest-ranking City God in all of Taiwan's City God temples, and it is divinely powerful and has flourishing incense, protecting the citizens of Hsinchu, and is the most important center of faith in Hsinchu.

Lai participated in the group prayer and the ceremonial start of the procession, a significant moment for the nearly 280-year-old temple, considered the highest-ranking City God temple in Taiwan. He lauded the temple as a vital spiritual center for Hsinchu residents, emphasizing the City God's divine power and enduring popularity.

The festival encompasses several key rituals, including "Opening the Gates of Fortune," "Carrying Shackles to Dispel Misfortune," the "City God Carnival," "Night Patrol," and the culminating "Procession and Blessing." President Lai highlighted the procession's cultural significance, interpreting it as a representation of the City God's compassion for all beings and concern for the less fortunate, embodying values of social harmony that transcend political divides.

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The annual Mid-Year City God Festival is a very important cultural and religious activity for Hsinchu City, and it is also a very important cultural asset of Hsinchu City.

"This is a very important cultural and religious activity for Hsinchu City, and it is also a very important cultural asset of Hsinchu City," Lai stated. He expressed honor in participating as president and conveyed blessings for the event's success, wishing for continued prosperity and good fortune for Taiwan and Hsinchu City.

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The procession and blessing ceremony today shows its cultural meaning, representing that the City God is compassionate and protects all beings, and also shows that the City God cares about the vulnerable and hopes for social harmony. These are spirits that are worthy of learning for every politician, regardless of party.

As President Lai personally helped carry the City God's palanquin, cheers of "Hello, Mr. President!" erupted from the crowds lining the route. The enthusiastic public reception underscored the significance of the occasion, marking a memorable moment in the festival's long history.

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Today, I am honored as President to participate in the annual cultural event of Hsinchu. I also represent the people of Taiwan and all sectors of society to congratulate the successful completion of this year's event, and to make the City God Temple's incense even more prosperous, protecting Taiwan with peace and prosperity, and Hsinchu City with no disasters and celebrations at all times.