TAIWAN: Being a happy clapper is risky

TAIPEI (The Star, South Africa), August 4, 2008: Gangsters in Taiwan have told early morning exercisers to stop clapping their hands, or else, cable TV channel ETTV has reported. Many Taiwanese believe clapping while walking can improve their health; making a loud noise is believed to stimulate blood circulation, increase chi - the Chinese term for life energy - and cure many internal diseases. But now the "morning clappers" have been warned to keep quiet as they are disturbing the gangsters' sleep. Recently, warning notices have been pasted on trees along the Love River in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, saying: "We suggest you stop clapping hands. If you continue to make noise and disturb our sleep, you must shoulder all the consequences." - Sapa-dpa