Taiwan | PLACE

Dancers rehearse for Confucius Spring Memorial Ceremony at Taipei Confucius Temple, Friday, March 19, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. Confucius was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese thought and life. The Confucius Spring Memorial Ceremony will be held on March 20 in Taipei Confucius Temple.

Dancers rehearse for Confucius Spring Memorial Ceremony at Taipei Confucius Temple, Friday, March 19, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. Confucius was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese thought and life. The Confucius Spring Memorial Ceremony will be held on March 20 in Taipei Confucius Temple.

Dancers rehearse for Confucius Spring Memorial Ceremony at Taipei Confucius Temple, Friday, March 19, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. Confucius was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese thought and life. The Confucius Spring Memorial Ceremony will be held on March 20 in Taipei Confucius Temple.

Dancers from the "Cloud Gate" perform their new work "Listening to the River" during a rehearsal at the National Theater Concert Hall, Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. "Listening to the River" was written about Tamshui River of the Taipei as a source of inspiration and perform on March 18-21.

Dancers from the "Cloud Gate" perform their new work "Listening to the River" during a rehearsal at the National Theater Concert Hall, Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. "Listening to the River" was written about Tamshui River of the Taipei as a source of inspiration and perform on March 18-21.

A dancer from the "Cloud Gate" perform their new work "Listening to the River" during a rehearsal at the National Theater Concert Hall, Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. "Listening to the River" was written about Tamshui River of the Taipei as a source of inspiration and perform on March 18-21.

Dancers from the "Cloud Gate" perform their new work "Listening to the River" during a rehearsal at the National Theater Concert Hall, Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. "Listening to the River" was written about Tamshui River of the Taipei as a source of inspiration and perform on March 18-21.

The Taipei 101 building stands among dust storm in Taipei Wednesday morning, March 17, 2010. A wave of sandstorms hit Taiwan Tuesday, affecting the air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Administration.

Taipei city is seen among dust storm Wednesday morning, March 17, 2010. A wave of sandstorms hit Taiwan Tuesday, affecting the air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Administration.

The Taipei 101 building stands in Taipei Wednesday morning, March 17, 2010, a day after a wave of sandstorms hit Taiwan, affecting the air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Administration.

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou delivers a speech during the 2010 Hsieh Nien Fan of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. President Ma says he's hoping to sign a landmark trade deal with China by May. Speaking to the American business group Tuesday, Ma says deal "is vitally important for Taiwan's survival" because it would mitigate the island's economic isolation in the face of upcoming trade pacts between Beijing and other Asian countries.

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou delivers a speech during the 2010 Hsieh Nien Fan of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. President Ma says he's hoping to sign a landmark trade deal with China by May. Speaking to the American business group Tuesday, Ma says deal "is vitally important for Taiwan's survival" because it would mitigate the island's economic isolation in the face of upcoming trade pacts between Beijing and other Asian countries.

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, left, shakes hands with Alan T. Eusden, director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei during the 2010 Hsieh Nien Fan of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan.

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, center, William A. Stanton, left, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, and Alan T. Eusden, director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei cheer during the 2010 Hsieh Nien Fan of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in Taipei, Taiwan. President Ma says he's hoping to sign a landmark trade deal with China by May. Speaking to the American business group Tuesday, Ma says deal "is vitally important for Taiwan's survival" because it would mitigate the island's economic isolation in the face of upcoming trade pacts between Beijing and other Asian countries.

Taiwan Presicdent Ma Ying-jeou speaks during a dinner party organized by AmCham Taipei at a local hotel in Taipei on March 16, 2010. Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou is set to visit six Asia-Pacific island states later this month with a planned transit stop in the US territory of Guam, his office said.

William A. Stanton (L), Director of American Institute in Taipei, shakes hands with Taiwan Presicdent Ma Ying-jeou during a dinner party organized by AmCham Taipei at a local hotel in Taipei on March 16, 2010. Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou is set to visit six Asia-Pacific island states later this month with a planned transit stop in the US territory of Guam, his office said.

(L-R) William A. Stanton, Director of American Institute in Taipei, Taiwan Presicdent Ma Ying-jeou, Alan Eusden, Chairman of AmCham Taipei and Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin toast during a dinner party at a local hotel in Taipei on March 16, 2010. Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou is set to visit six Asia-Pacific island states later this month with a planned transit stop in the US territory of Guam, his office said.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' starting pitcher Josh Towers, 28, delivers a pitch during the last of three exhibition games against the Taiwan all-stars in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Sunday, March 14, 2010. The Dodgers beat Taiwan, 11 to 1. ** Taiwan Out.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, 99, walks back to the dugout during the last exhibition game against the Taiwan all-stars in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Sunday, March 14, 2010. The Dodgers beat Taiwan, 11 to 1. ** Taiwan Out.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez, 99, makes contact during the last exhibition game against the Taiwan all-stars in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Sunday, March 14, 2010. The Dodgers beat Taiwan ,11 to 1. ** Taiwan Out.