Taiwan Representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim has made visits to the US states of Kentucky and Virginia, calling for closer ties between the states and Taiwan. The trip follows Hsiao’s recent return visit to Taiwan.
In Kentucky, Hsiao met with Governor Andy Beshear and discussed with him the possibility of increasing cooperation on products such as electric vehicles and whiskey. In addition to meeting with the governor, Hsiao also met with several Kentucky state legislators, and witnessed the passing of a pro-Taiwan resolution in the Kentucky Senate. The resolution calls for the state to consider establishing a trade office in Taiwan, as the states of South Carolina, New Mexico, Montana, and Pennsylvania have done.
A few days earlier Hsiao also visited with the governor and legislature of Virginia. The Virginia legislature has also voted to begin looking into opening a trade office in Taiwan. The moves show the new diplomatic push of Taiwan to increase ties with individual US states.