18.02.2026 19:10
As Taiwan enters the 'Year of the Horse' according to the 12 Animal Zodiac Calendar, an unusual incident occurred during a temple visit by President William Lai Ching-te in Tainan as part of the celebrations. The head of the Sacrificial Rites War Temple, which hosted the ceremony, suddenly fell ill and vomited on President Ching-te.
In China and Taiwan, the "Year of the Snake" was left behind on February 17 according to the 12 Animal Lunar Calendar, and the "Year of the Horse" began. In Taiwan, however, the temple visits organized as part of the New Year celebrations were briefly interrupted by an unusual incident during a program attended by President William Lai Ching-te.
TEMPLE PRESIDENT VOMITED ON THE PRESIDENT
During Lai's tour in Tainan, Lin Pei-huo, the President of the Sacrificial Rites War Temple hosting the ceremony, suddenly fell ill. In those moments captured on camera, Pei-huo's face was seen to suddenly pale. While the speeches were ongoing, Pei-huo, unable to hold back, suddenly began to vomit. President Ching-te also experienced the unfortunate moments.
THE PRESIDENT MADE THE FIRST INTERVENTION
President Ching-te, who has a medical education by profession, immediately headed to Pei-huo, setting aside protocol rules as soon as he noticed the situation. Meanwhile, the program was temporarily halted.
THE REASON WAS LATER REVEALED
After the incident, President Ching-te addressed the crowd, stating that some members of Pei-huo's family had recently contracted norovirus and that the temple president might have been affected by this virus as well.
Lin Pei-huo, who spoke after his discomfort, expressed his sadness over the events and stated that the virus cases among family members had also infected him. Emphasizing that what happened at that moment was beyond his control, Pei-huo requested understanding from those who attended the ceremony.