By Chris Chang, Taiwan News — 1 January 2021
Though New Year’s Eve events in many cities were cancelled or went virtual due to COVID-19, Taipei 101’s annual fireworks show welcomed 2021 with 16,000 fireworks witnessed by tens of thousands of viewers. Titled “Embrace the World with Love; Ignite the Future with Hope,” the five-minute display was divided into five parts as a tribute to Taiwan’s frontline medical workers and a message of unity to the world. Thanks to Taiwan’s effective measures to curb COVID-19, the municipality gave the green light to the mass gathering. Taipei Metro transported over 3.2 million passengers in a 24-hour period starting on New Year’s Eve.