The planned trip by main opposition Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu (???) to the United States at the end of May has been postponed, KMT Department of International Affairs head Alexander Huang (???) said Thursday.

Speaking to CNA that day, Huang said Chu’s travel plans have been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the KMT is in close contact with the U.S. and will soon finalize Chu’s new schedule, he said.

An unnamed source in the KMT added that in addition to the pandemic, Chu likely postponed the trip due to U.S. President Joe Biden’s plans to visit Asia at the end of May.

The source said the KMT has adjusted the chairman’s itinerary in order to optimize the results of his visit to the U.S. when it goes ahead.

The source went on to say the KMT is in active talks with various U.S. government branches and the party’s deputy director of international affairs Eric Huang (???) has returned to the U.S. to continue with negotiations.

The source added that Chu’s schedule could be finalized as soon as next week.

In previous statements, Huang revealed that Chu was planning to be in the U.S. for more than a week at the end of May to meet with government officials and lawmakers, as well as think tank representatives.

Chu plans to make public appearances and make speeches in Washington D.C., New York, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Huang said Chu’s speeches will revolve around the KMT’s policies on Taiwan’s relationship with the U.S., the party’s position on dealings with China, the security of Taiwan’s territorial waters and KMT observations on the current international situation.

During his visit to Washington D.C., Chu will also oversee the reopening of the KMT liaison office in Washington.

The purpose of Chu’s visit is not to promote the KMT, but rather remove the impression the party had left Washington D.C., Huang said.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel