Taiwan Delegation Delivers "Highest Blessings" to Trump Inauguration Amid Defense Concerns

Taiwan Delegation Heads to Trump Inauguration with "Highest Blessings"

Taiwan's delegation to the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president departed on Saturday, January 18th, with the mission of extending the island's "highest blessings" to the US.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, enjoyed strong support from the first Trump administration, including regularized arms sales that have continued under President Joe Biden. However, Trump's campaign trail statements calling for Taiwan to pay for its defense caused some unease.

Taiwanese parliament speaker Han Kuo-yu, a senior member of the opposition Kuomintang party and former presidential candidate, addressed the delegation at Taoyuan airport before their departure for Washington. He emphasized that despite the threat of heavy snow, many foreign leaders were still making the journey.

"All of our delegation members are taking this enthusiasm to the United States to represent our 23 million people, and we extend our highest blessings to the US presidential team and to the people of the United States," Han stated.

Han is accompanied by a cross-party delegation of seven other lawmakers.

China's delegation to the inauguration is led by Vice President Han Zheng. Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Trump by telephone on Friday, discussing issues including Taiwan.

Han's party traditionally favors close ties and dialogue with China, but denies being pro-Beijing.