Taipei, March 12 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu left Taiwan Saturday for an official visit to El Salvador and Guatemala -- two diplomatic allies of the Republic of China in Central America.
The vice president will also make transit stops in Houston and Miami during the 12-day visit.
Lu, at the head of the 152-member delegation, said prior to her departure at CKS International Airport that the visit is aimed at cementing diplomatic ties and introducing Taiwan's industries to its allies.
The delegation, which in addition to government officials, includes executives of state-owned and private enterprises, the vice president said, hoping to introduce Taiwan's traditional and high-tech industries to its allies and further increase trade exchanges with them.
According to delegation's itinerary, Lu will inspect the possibility of establishing a "Taiwan Park" for industries in El Salvador, in the hopes that the park's construction can be completed and its operations begin within the remaining three years of President Chen Shui-bian's term.
If all goes well, the park project would be the first time that Taiwan's public and private sectors join hands to make inroads into the Central America, which would not only help Taiwan businesspeople to reach out and flex Taiwan's economic and industrial muscle, but would also help the island's bid to become an observer in the Organization of American States.
Lu will also attend a regional meeting of Democratic Pacific Union (DPU) in America in Guatemala. Not only six Central American allies, but also five non-ally countries in North, Central and South America will attend the meeting, Lu said, adding that this will be a a warm-up to a DPU regional organization that will be established in Taipei August 14.
During the 12-day visit, the vice president will call on Salvadoran President Elias Antonio Saca and Vice President Ana Vilma De Escobar and Guatemalan President Oscar Berger.
She will also be decorated by the two governments and will deliver speeches to the parliaments of both countries.