VP Lai makes New York stopover on way to Paraguay

2023/08/15

Vice President Lai Ching-te arrived in New York Aug. 13 on stopover to Paraguay for the inauguration of the South American ally’s newly elected President Santiago Pena Palacios.
 
According to the Presidential Office, Lai was greeted on board his charter flight by American Institute in Taiwan Managing Director Ingrid Larson and Hsiao Bi-khim, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S.
 
The VP later attended a lunch in the U.S. city. Participants included Hsiao, Larson, Vice Foreign Minister Alexander Tah-ray Yui, Taiwan expatriate community leaders and representatives, while AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger took part via video link.
 
During his speech, Lai said despite constant threats from an authoritarian regime, Taiwan is committed to safeguarding freedom, democracy and respect for human rights in the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan will continue to stand with its like-minded partners in the free world to contribute to global peace and security, he added.
 
Praising the Big Apple as a creative hub, the vice president said the government will continue to promote national development and prosperity through innovative and progressive policymaking.
 
In addition to attending the Paraguayan presidential inauguration Aug. 15, Lai is also scheduled to take part in a religious ceremony, a lunch hosted by the new president and first lady, and an event to celebrate the 486th founding anniversary of capital city Asuncion. The VP will also hold discussions with both the outgoing and new presidents to strengthen the countries’ two-way ties.
 
This is Lai’s third official trip since taking office in 2020 and the first post the COVID-19 pandemic. He is set to return to Taiwan on Aug. 18.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)