Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) is heading toward Paraguay after completing his transit in New York at 10 p.m. local time on Sunday. Lai and his delegation are scheduled to arrive in Paraguay at 8 a.m. on Monday.
Paraguay, a country that has established diplomatic relations with Taiwan, will be welcoming the vice president with military honors. Lai is set to meet with current president Mario Abdo Benítez and president elect Santiago Peña Palacios.
Prior to leaving for Paraguay, Lai attended a welcoming lunch banquet and met with the local Taiwanese communities in New York during his transit. Lai says the international community’s support for Taiwan and concerns for the Taiwan strait signal the importance of Taiwan’s security. Lai adds that Taiwan’s security is essential to world peace.
Among the attendees are American Institute in Taiwan’s Managing Director Ingrid Larson, New York State Representative Phil Ramos, New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and Williamsport city mayor Derek Slaughter.