Thousands of Taiwan children set lion dance record

TAIPEI: Thousands of Taiwanese school children set a world record after simultaneously performing a colourful traditional lion dance, an official said Sunday.

A total of 3,971 boys and girls from central Changhua County joined the event at a stadium late Saturday afternoon. After donning masks they had to dance at the same time for more than five minutes.

"The world record was immediately verified by the authoritative Guiness World Records," Chang Chueh-fen, an official of the Changhua County government, told AFP.

She said Carin Valerio, from Guiness World Records, witnessed the event, which was part of a local government programme to promote sports among children.

"All the children who registered to join the event were required to practise at least more than a year," Chang said. (AFP)