(Clearwisdom.net) Chiaotou Township in the southern county of Kaohsiung was selected as one of Taiwan's ten major flower field landscapes. The township administration held a series of fun activities on December 13-14, 2008. The Divine Land Marching Band, the Waist Drum Team, the Tianwei Tang Drum Group, and the "Celestial Maidens" dance group were invited to take part in the parade. The local people that lined the streets gave them a rousing welcome. Many people were impressed by the Divine Land Marching Band's orderly lineup and stirring performance. They stopped to watch and took photos of the band. The head of Chiaotou Township invited officials from the township office to have their photos taken in front of the Divine Land Marching Band.

People enthusiastically took Falun Gong truth clarification flyers and colorful handmade paper lotus flowers with a bookmark

People watched the Divine Land Marching Band and took photos

Mr. Hsu, head of Chiaotou Township, invited officials to be photographed in front of the Divine Land Marching Band

The Divine Land Marching Band performed "Falun Dafa Is Good" and other selections

Mr. Hsu issued appreciation certificates and thanked Falun Gong practitioners for their contribution to the community

Mr. Hsu Chung-ming, head of Chiaotou Township, led all staff of the township office and different groups from the township in joining the parade. Falun Gong practitioners were also invited. They prepared handmade paper lotus flowers with bookmarks and Falun Gong truth clarification materials for the local people, who were happy to receive them.

This was the first time that Falun Gong practitioners had been invited to participate in the Chiaotou Township parade. After the parade, Mr. Hsu, head of the township, told the reporter, "Falun Gong's Divine Land Marching Band, Waist Drum Team, Tang Drum Group, and Celestial Maidens were spectacular, orderly, and disciplined. It is the first time I have seen them in Chiaotou Township. I hope that they will take part in big local events in the future." Speaking about the persecution, Mr. Hsu said, "I strongly oppose the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Human rights in democratic countries are universal values. I respect human rights. I cannot accept that practitioners are subjected to such persecution." Falun Gong is widely practiced in Taiwan and in over 80 countries around the world. Mr. Hsu said that there are three advantages to this phenomenon, "One is improving human rights, the second is that practicing Falun Gong can benefit people both physically and mentally, and the third is that it can change people's human notions, helping them to be disciplined and honest. It is good for upgrading society's moral standards."

Practitioners brought the positive message of Falun Gong to Chiaotou Township. The local people know that Falun Dafa is good, and they also condemn the inhuman persecution of Falun Gong in China.