President Lai meets with Taiwan delegation to Trump's inauguration

Taipei, Jan. 16 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Thursday that he hopes the attendance of the Taiwan delegation, led by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), at the upcoming inauguration of United States President-elect Donald Trump will set a new milestone in Taiwan-U.S. relations.

During the meeting with the delegation of eight cross-party lawmakers, Lai thanked Han of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) for stepping forward to lead the group.

The president also commended the lawmakers from different parties for coming together to represent Taiwan at Trump's inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20.

This is an effort that can serve to deepen relations between Taiwan and the U.S., Lai said, urging the delegation to strive for Taiwan's greatest interests.

Lai also asked the delegation to convey to the new U.S. administration the sincere blessings of the Taiwan people and their unwavering commitment to democracy.

Through the exchanges between the delegation and the U.S., it is hoped that a new milestone in Taiwan-U.S. relations will be established, bilateral ties will be deepened, and greater cooperation will be forged, Lai said.

In response, Han said the delegation will convey the voice of Taiwan as a democratic country. It will also make clear that there are four pillars on which Taiwan's security rests, namely protecting the Republic of China (Taiwan), protecting its freedom and democracy, maintaining U.S.-Taiwan relations, and maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait, he said.

The Taiwan delegation to Trump's inauguration comprises the KMT speaker; lawmakers Wang Ting-yu (王定宇), Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷) and Kuo Yu-ching (郭昱晴) of the Democratic Progressive Party; Ko Chih-en (柯志恩), Lee Yen-hsiu (李彥秀) and Ko Ju-chun (葛如鈞) of the KMT; and Chen Gau-Tzu (陳昭姿) of the smaller opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP).

They are scheduled to depart on Saturday.