Legislative Speaker Han, lawmakers depart for U.S. trip

Taoyuan, June 21 (CNA) Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) left Sunday at the head of a cross-party delegation for a six-day trip to the United States, including visits to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s (TSMC) Arizona complex and Washington, D.C.

Speaking to the press before his departure at Taoyuan International Airport, Han said the trip was made possible through an invitation from a Taiwan-friendly caucus in the U.S. Congress.

The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker said the main focus of the trip is to promote closer Taiwan-U.S. exchanges through "parliamentary diplomacy."

The delegation will return on Friday aboard EVA Airways' inaugural direct flight from Washington, D.C. to Taiwan, which Han said reflected deepening bilateral ties.

The delegation consists of Han and seven other lawmakers, including three from the KMT, one from the smaller opposition Taiwan People's Party, and three from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

According to sources familiar with the group's itinerary, the delegation will first visit the TSMC manufacturing complex in Phoenix and will also attend a banquet with overseas Taiwanese while in Arizona.

The group will then head to Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. senators, members of the House of Representatives and senior U.S. government officials, as well as attend a banquet hosted by Taiwan's representative to the United States, Alexander Yui (俞大㵢).