Premier Zhu Rong-tai has been encouraging newlyweds to have children at a
mass wedding organized by Chunghwa Telecom in Taipei.

A total of 72 couples tied the knot at the event, Zhu had been invited to
served as a witness at the ceremony held at the Grand Hotel.

Zhu thanked the newlyweds for taking a step that he claimed could help Taiwan
"effectively address its demographic challenges."

But even as he encouraged the couples to have children, Zhu also stressed
that childbirth remains a personal choice.

He did use his speech to promote the Lai administration's plans to introduce
monthly child-rearing allowance starting next year, as well as expanded
childcare services and measures aimed at easing housing and education costs.

Zhu also said he hopes state-owned enterprises will organize more large-scale
mass weddings, noting that Tai-Power is also planning to hold one.

Data from the Ministry of the Interior shows that the number of births
dropped for a 10th consecutive year.