TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim is on a low-profile private trip to the U.S. this week, an anonymous Taiwanese senior official and a U.S. Department of State shared, according to Reuters.
Hsiao, who served as Taiwan's Representative to the U.S. from mid-2020 until late last year, is in the U.S. capital to gather belongings left behind while campaigning with President-elect Lai Ching-te.
The State Department spokesperson confirmed that "the United States has a longstanding precedent of transits by Taiwan officials and visits by candidates and Vice President-elect before they assume office."
Taiwanese media and The Wall Street Journal initially reported Hsiao's trip. Reports indicated that Hsiao intends to meet with U.S. officials to discuss the policy philosophy of Taiwan's new government. Following her visit to D.C., she plans to visit several European capitals privately.
Insiders note that officials in Taipei and Washington are cautious in avoiding angering Beijing and are trying to keep Hsiao's trip low-profile.
