President Lai calls for cross-party harmony in Lunar New Year address

Taipei, Jan. 27 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Monday called for cross-party unity in his first Lunar New Year address since taking office, amid months of political wrangling in the Legislature between his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the nation's opposition parties, which hold a majority of seats.

In his pre-recorded address released the night before Lunar New Year's Eve, Lai began by expressing gratitude to military personnel, the coast guard, police, firefighters, medical personnel and other first responders working in the public sector.

It is because of their hardwork that Taiwanese citizens are able to enjoy peace of mind over the holiday period, Lai said.

He also thanked everyone in Taiwan for their efforts over the past year, praising every citizens as "heroes of Taiwan."

"Together, we overcame many challenges, helping Taiwan continue to progress and develop, as well as play an even more important role on the global stage."

"In the new year, the government will continue striving to foster national development, spur economic growth and contribute to citizens' well-being," he added.

Lai said ahead of the Year of the Snake, he visited two local NGOs, namely Hondao Senior Citizen's Welfare Foundation and Taiwan Fund for Children and Families.

"As the saying goes, respect all seniors as you would your own, and care for all children as you would your own."

In 2025, Lai said his government will push forward with a Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative "to help young people make their dreams become a reality."

Lai was referring to a newly launched government-funded program that enables Taiwan's youth to travel abroad for volunteer work, training, or cross-cultural exchanges.

The Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative will offer over 800 opportunities in 2025 for Taiwanese nationals aged 15 to 30 to travel abroad for programs lasting from two weeks to up to one year, according to the Ministry of Education.

Meanwhile, Lai reiterated his administration's resolution to ensure the nation continues to make progress "so Taiwan keeps going strong and every person has a bright future."

The president said he hopes every family can enjoy "peace, togetherness, and happiness" in the Year of the Snake.

"The same goes for our nation. I look forward to the ruling and opposition parties being in harmony and our society uniting. Let's work together to help our nation continue to make great strides," he concluded.

Lai was apparently referring to the heated verbal and physical confrontations over the past few months in the Legislative Yuan between the ruling DPP, main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and smaller opposition party Taiwan People's Party (TPP).

To date, TPP lawmakers have sided with the KMT on legislation, using their combined total of 60 seats to push through bills that the DPP, with only 51 seats has opposed, and also cut the central government's budget.

Taiwan's presidents traditionally makes a New Year address on Jan. 1 and Lunar New Year address on the day before Lunar New Year.

This year the nine-day Lunar New Year break began on Jan. 25 and ends on Feb. 2.