CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — A delegation of West Virginia lawmakers is heading to Taiwan next week (April 21st, in fact.) Among them, 99th District Delegate Wayne Clark (R – Jefferson County).
“Friday the 21st, myself, Roger Hanshaw, Craig Blair, Paul Espinosa will be flying over to Taiwan and working with the Taiwan government in building a trade process between Taiwan and the state of West Virginia,” Clark said. That group contains some top leadership in both the state senate and house, notably Craig Blair, Senate President and Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the House of Delegates. Paul Espinosa is the Speaker Pro Tempore.
Delegate Clark could not confirm if there is a specific project or partnership on the table. “That’s a good question. It’s not one I can give answers to,” he said.
Preparations are ongoing for the trip, according to Clark. “We’re going to be sitting down with the diplomats and organizers and kind of go over what to expect.”
As for their safety in Taiwan, Clark said they have been assured they’re out of range of any aggression from foreign countries such as China.
In recent weeks, China has conducted military drills in the seas offshore of Taiwan, actions largely seen as a warning to the self-governing island after a meeting of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen with U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.