TAIWAN PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI GIVES RED ENVELOPE TO A GIRL IN TAIPEI, 2000-02-05 (photo)

Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui, who will step down in May 2000, gives "Hung Bao" - red envelopes containing NT$100 (US$3.27) - to residents of his hometown in Sanchih, Taipei County on February 5, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. It is a tradition for Chinese people to give children and followers "Hung Bao" during the lunar new year, the most important festival in Taiwan. Since becoming president 12 years ago, Lee has gone back to his hometown to greet the town people on every Chinese New Year. This year he offered 21,000 red envelopes. SK/PB