1.
GV EXTERIOR TILT DOWN Presidential Palace
0.08

2.
GV&SV People enter Palace (2 shots)
0.16

3.
GV's People pray before altar (4 shots)
0.29

4.
SV TILT UP Birthday cake
0.35

5.
SV People watching dragon dancers (2 shots)
0.42

6.
GV's New jet in hangar (2 shots)
0.46

7.
SV AirForce
0.48

8.
GV Jet towed out of hangar (3 shots)
1.00



Initials ET/2028 CT/2036



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Taiwan officially celebrated the 87th birthday of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek on Thursday (31 October). But the veteran leader failed to make his customary bublic appearance.

The Generalissimo has not appeared in public since he suffered a served attack of pneumonia two years ago. His eldest son, Prime Minister Chiang Ching-kuo told the Taiwanese Parliament recently that his father had fully recovered and was attending to state affairs in his home. Meanwhile, Premier Chiang has assumed greater responsibilities for the country's affairs.

Some 4,800 overseas Chinese from 48 counties arrived in Taiwan's capital, Taipei for the celebrations, together with 130 members of the Japanese Parliament.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday (30 October), the Taiwanese Air Force Unveiled a new model F-5E jet -- the first fighter aircraft ever built in Taiwan in a ceremony timed to coincide with the Generalissimo's birthday.

The ceremony took place at Taichung Airbase in central Taiwan, where the aircraft is being manufactured in co-operation with the Northrop Aircraft Division of the United States.

The new jet, a prototype of the U.S. F-5A, is capable of both attack and defensive functions.