Taipei: Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang 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.

According to Focus Taiwan, the trip will begin in Detroit at a Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America event to understand the needs of overseas Taiwanese businesses. The delegation will also engage with U.S. congresspersons and senators to deepen bilateral ties. Following their stop in North America, the group will visit Paraguay, Taiwan's sole diplomatic ally in South America, a relationship that has been significant since official ties were established in 1957.

Chiang emphasized the importance of this visit to Paraguay, especially following visits by the presidents of Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies and Senate to Taiwan over the past year. During the three-day stay in Paraguay, the delegation will meet with Paraguayan political leaders and review Taiwan-Paraguay cooperation projects in economic, agricultural, educational, and health-related sectors. "This round of parliamentarian diplomacy is important for Taiwan to expand its visibility around the globe and let the world see Taiwan," Chiang noted.