Protests in Taiwan against Vice-President's visit to United States

Dozens of political groups on the island of Taiwan rallied on Taipei's streets, strongly protesting the island's deputy head Lai Ching-te for his planned transit through the United States over the weekend.

Lai, the 2024 leadership candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party, will reportedly stop in the United States on Saturday on his way to and from Paraguay as part of a seven-day trip.

The groups said in the statement that Lai, who claims to be a pragmatic advocate for "Taiwan independence", is attempting to seek support from the United States.

"This blind pursuit of personal interests and the neglect of people's livelihoods is seen as a betrayal of democracy and the welfare of the Taiwan people," they said.

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