A group of Panamanian lawmakers have arrived in Taiwan in apparent defiance
of reported Chinese requests that they cancel the trip.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the nine-member delegation will meet
with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu and attend
a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung during their stay.

The group will also visit several government agencies, including the
International Trade Administration, the Industrial Technology Research
Institute, and the Hsinchu Science Park.

The visit comes amid reports that China had sought to block it.

An Associated Press report published on November 20, citing the Panamanian
daily La Prensa, said Chinese embassy staff in Panama asked a total of 10
lawmakers to "immediately cancel" plans to visit Taiwan.

The foreign ministery is condemning Beijing for trying to intervene in
Taiwan's "normal exchanges with other countries."