TAIPEI (Taiwan News)— Taiwanese lawmakers, led by the deputy speaker of the Legislative Yuan, Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), departed Taiwan on Sunday evening for a diplomatic visit to Washington, D.C. 

Chiang spent the last 20 days meeting with business leaders across multiple industries to prepare for meetings in the US, CNA reported. The delegation will meet with members of Congress to discuss foreign affairs and defense issues, as well as trade and tariffs. 

Chiang departed Sunday evening with two other KMT lawmakers, Chang Chih-lun (張智倫), Huang Chien-hao (黃健豪), and Lin Yi-chun (林憶君) of the Taiwan People’s Party. They will be joined in Washington on April 29 by members of the ruling DPP, Wang Ting-yu (王定宇), Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩), and Ngalim Tiunn (張雅琳), who will leave on Monday.  

The delegation plans to visit several think tanks and meet with business leaders and associations. Lawmakers on the trip represent the US-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan. 

In a statement, Chiang said he will promote greater cooperation between the US and Taiwan across multiple areas beyond trade policy, mentioning his intention to lobby for passage of the Double-Tax Relief Act in Congress. He also listed labor, manufacturing, education, and talent exchange as areas in which Taiwan and the US can strengthen their mutual partnership, per UDN. 

The delegation will remain in the US until May 2.