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PHOTO ESSAY / Taiwan welcomes 2026 with flag-raising ceremonies across the island

01/01/2026 11:17 AM
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President Lai Ching-te delivers his New Year’s Day address following a flag-raising ceremony in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2025
President Lai Ching-te delivers his New Year’s Day address following a flag-raising ceremony in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2025

Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) Central and local governments across Taiwan held flag-raising ceremonies Thursday to celebrate the arrival of 2026.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), Premier Cho Jung-tai(卓榮泰), Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文) and other top officials attended the main ceremony held in front of the President's Office in Taipei.

CNA video
Participants wave national flags in the light rain in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei, Thursday, during the New Year’s Day flag-raising ceremony. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2025
Participants wave national flags in the light rain in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei, Thursday, during the New Year’s Day flag-raising ceremony. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2025
Honor guards of the Ministry of National Defense blow trumpets in the flag-raising ceremony in front of the President's Office in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026 
Honor guards of the Ministry of National Defense blow trumpets in the flag-raising ceremony in front of the President's Office in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026 
A woman runs with a national flag flying high in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026
A woman runs with a national flag flying high in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026
Front row from left: President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), Premier Cho Jung-tai(卓榮泰), Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜). CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026
Front row from left: President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), Premier Cho Jung-tai(卓榮泰), Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜). CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026
Honor guards of the Ministry of National Defense performs for the flag-raising ceremony in front of the President's Office in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026 
Honor guards of the Ministry of National Defense performs for the flag-raising ceremony in front of the President's Office in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026 
Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen (second row, fourth from left) attends a KMT flag-raising ceremony in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026
Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen (second row, fourth from left) attends a KMT flag-raising ceremony in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (front center) stretches with participents before the New Year’s Day road running event in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (front center) stretches with participents before the New Year’s Day road running event in Taipei on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2026
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (center) delivers a speech during a flag-raising ceremony in Kaohsiung on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2025
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (center) delivers a speech during a flag-raising ceremony in Kaohsiung on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2025
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (front fifth left) delivers a speech during a flag-raising ceremony in Taichung on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2025
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (front fifth left) delivers a speech during a flag-raising ceremony in Taichung on Thursday. CNA photo Jan. 1, 2025

(By Lee Chieh-yu)

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