PHOTO ESSAY/Lai, Hsiao celebrate inauguration with 1st-ever state banquet in Tainan
Tainan, May 20 (CNA) Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) celebrated their inauguration on Monday with a state banquet in Tainan, the first of its kind to be held in the 400-year-old southern Taiwan city.
Lai, his wife and Hsiao arrived at the banquet venue at 6:33 p.m. In his speech, Lai thanked the visiting dignitaries for attending his and Hsiao's inauguration ceremony earlier in the day in Taipei and for the firm friendship with the Taiwanese people.
He also explained that the banquet was held in Tainan not just to celebrate the city's fourth centennial but also to demonstrate his government's goal of pursuing balanced development.
That is to ensure people, wherever they live in Taiwan, can do so comfortably and find satisfaction in their work, Lai said.
The banquet was held at the city's Formosa Yacht Resort, where guests were surrounded by Taiwan orchids decorated with various patterns including the national flag, using local technology.
Lai also told guests that the dishes served at the banquet were inspired by 22 cities in Taiwan, which also doubled as an invitation to foreign guests to travel around the nation and help establish strong relationships with other countries.
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