Vice President Lai Ching-te has arrived back in Taiwan following his
seven-day trip to the United States and Paraguay.

Lai landed at Taoyuan International Airport at 4:45 this morning and speaking
briefly to reporters ...

....... he expressed his gratitude to the Paraguayan government for its
hospitality and said he and his delegation conveyed a congratulatory message
from President Tsai Ing-wen and the people of Taiwan to President Santiago
Pena.

Lai went on to say his trip to Paraguay will help strengthen bilateral ties
and future cooperation between Taipei and Asuncion.

Lai also thanked overseas Taiwanese communities - saying due to their hard
work, the international community sees Taiwan as a force for good.

Lai's arrival back in Taiwan comes after he made a brief stop over in San
Francisco, where he was welcomed by American Institute in Taiwan Chair Laura
Rosenberger and Taiwan's top envoy to the U-S, Hsiao Bi-khim

Lai posted a photo of himself with Rosenberger and Hsiao on social media
shortly after being welcomed by dozens of Taiwanese expats outside the Hyatt
Regency hotel near the airport.

Lai was undisturbed by the more than a hundred pro-Beijing "protesters" - who
were calling for Taiwan's unification with China.

Some of those protesters attempted to break the cordon and approach Lai and
his delegation, but were stopped by police.

Speaking during her meeting with Lai, Rosenberger said the U-S remains
committed to supporting Taiwan's self-defense capabilities ..

... while collaboration in high-tech development and investment is also a
two-way relationship.