Taiwan deputy legislative speaker leads group to U.S., Paraguay

Taoyuan, Nov. 16 (CNA) Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) is leading a 14-member cross-party legislative delegation to the United States and Paraguay to enhance Taiwan's ties with its only diplomatic ally in South America and Washington.

Speaking to reporters at Taoyuan International Airport on Sunday before leaving on the nine-day trip, Chiang, of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), said his delegation consisted of lawmakers from the KMT, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the smaller opposition Taiwan People's Party.

He said the trip will begin in Detroit to attend a Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America event to get a feel for the needs of overseas Taiwanese businesses.

The delegation will also meet with U.S. congresspersons and senators to deepen bilateral ties, he said.

After the stop in North America, Chiang said his group will then visit Paraguay, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in South America.

Describing Paraguay an important ally since official ties were established in 1957, Chiang said the upcoming visit comes after visits by the presidents of Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies and Senate to Taiwan over the past year.

During its three-day stay in Paraguay, the delegation will meet Paraguayan political leaders and check on Taiwan-Paraguay economic, agricultural, educational and health-related cooperation projects, according to Chiang.

"This round of parliamentarian diplomacy is important for Taiwan to expand its visibility around the globe and let the world see Taiwan," Chiang said.