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Taiwan leader pay tributes to Yellow Emperor

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-04 15:56

TAIPEI -- Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou presided over a ceremony Friday to pay respects to the Yellow Emperor at the Martyr's Shrine in Taipei, one day before the annual Chinese Tomb Sweeping Festival.

Burning incense and presenting flowers, Ma bowed three times solemnly and respectfully at the ceremony.

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Ma's spokesman Wang Yu-chi said the Yellow Emperor was the shared ancestor of the Chinese people.

He said to "carefully attending to the funeral rites of parents and following with due sacrifice" was important for all Chinese.

The Yellow Emperor is believed to have reigned from 2,697 BC to2,598 BC. Although he was an actual ruler, his deeds have been embellished with time: for example, he has been credited with introducing the systems of government and law to humankind, civilizing the Earth, teaching people many skills and inventing all manner of items.

China has commemorated the Yellow Emperor since the Spring and Autumn Period around 8 BC.