1.
SV People flying kites (4 shots)
0.10

2.
LV Bird-shaped kites in flight
0.14

3.
SV Man with gaily-coloured centipede kite
0.22

4.
SV Butterfly kites being made (5 shots)
0.56

5.
SV Two men trying out centipede kite
1.04

6.
SV Others preparing to fly kites (2 shots)
1.10

7.
SV Centipede kite in flight (2 shots)
1.20

8.
SV Kite cord unwinding & kite in flight (3 shots)
1.33

9.
SV Children & adults watching (3 shots)
1.41



Initials SGM/0115 SGM/0131



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: On a good summer day in taiwan, when perhaps a light breeze springs up, a visitor may be startled to see strange-looking objects flying overhead -- forty-foot long (13 meters) centipedes, colourful giant butterflies, and even a fierce-looking dragon with a wingspan a yard (metre) wide. Beneath the objects, intent and completely occupied with the not-so-serious job of controlling their kites, are the Chinese men and women of Taiwan.

The people of Taiwan claim that kite-flying was their invention 2,000 years ago. In those ancient days engineers used kites to estimate the apex of a bridge during construction, farmers used them to scare crows, and others used them merely as playthings -- as they do today.

Most of the kites in Taiwan are the creations of "Butterfly" Chang, the kite king of the country, who designs and produces 10,000 kites a month. He use rag paper, white cotton cloth and rayon. On Friday (2 July) Chang produced his latest masterpiece -- the centipede. This official film from the Chinese Information Service shows its maiden flight and the reaction from Taiwan's critical audience of kite-watching professionals.