A delegation of Taiwan lawmakers led by ROC Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng is set to attend U.S. President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony Jan. 21 in Washington.
“On behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou, we would like to express our most sincere congratulations to Obama on his election to a second term,” Wang said. “Our presence at this historic event illustrates the closeness of Taiwan-U.S. relations in the absence of formal diplomatic relations.”
The delegation comprises John H. Chiang, deputy chairman of the ruling Kuomintang, KMT Legislators Hsieh Kuo-liang and Lai Shyh-bao, and their opposition Democratic Progressive Party counterparts Chen Tan-sun and Lee Ying-yuan.
In addition to attending Obama’s inauguration ceremony, the group will meet with members of the U.S. Congress and discuss issues of mutual concern.
At the top of the list is restarting talks under the Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, Wang said. “We hope to open TIFA talks as soon as possible since it is pivotal to bilateral investment and economic cooperation.”
Separately, the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Jan. 18 that the Wang-led delegation represents the ROC government and people of Taiwan’s appreciation for close Taiwan-U.S. ties, which continue expanding on the basis of growing mutual trust.
“We wish to extend our most genuine congratulations to Mr. Obama and believe healthy Taipei-Washington exchanges will continue thriving in the future,” the MOFA said.
The group, which also attended a dinner reception with members of the overseas Chinese community Jan. 19 in Los Angeles, is scheduled to return to Taiwan Jan. 24. (JSM)
Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw