TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) visited temples to pray and hand out lucky bags during a Lunar New Year visit on Wednesday.

Originally from Japan, lucky bags contain a gift surprise like small electronics or gift cards, whereas red envelopes contain money. It is a tradition for the president and other officials to hand out lucky bags during the Lunar New Year, per UDN.

In the afternoon, Lai visited Tiantan Tiangong Temple, Sigang Qingan Temple, and Xinying Taizi Temple, per CNA. In a speech, Lai said he prayed to the deities not only for peace and prosperity but also for Yujing and Nansi district residents, who were hit by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake on Jan. 21.

Lai said the government will work with local authorities to minimize the impact on residents and complete the reconstruction as quickly as possible. He thanked the public for their support, emphasizing that the nation needs its citizens to stand in solidarity.

Meanwhile, on a separate trip, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) handed out red envelopes at Haotian Temple in Taichung on Wednesday. She was accompanied by DPP legislators Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) and Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純).