Denver, July 21 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen on Sunday departed Denver for Taiwan after a two-night stopover in the city, following her visit to Taiwan's four Caribbean allies.
Tsai flew to Denver Friday, making her the first sitting president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to visit Colorado.
Shortly after her arrival, Tsai held a closed-door meeting with Senator Cory Gardner where the two discussed security issues, economic opportunities, the Taiwan-U.S. relationship, a possible bilateral free trade agreement and several other topics, according to Gardner, who represents Colorado.
Also on Friday, Tsai attended a banquet with 700-plus Taiwanese expatriates, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman James Moriarty, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn, and Gardner.
On Saturday, Tsai hosted a reception for accompanying Taiwanese media, during which the president expressed her gratitude to the U.S. government, the U.S. Congress and the AIT, which represents American interests in Taiwan, for facilitating her extended stopover in the United States.
Earlier in that day, Tsai became the second head of a foreign government to visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, after former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1990.
Tsai started her trip July 11 and first visited York en route to Caribbean allies Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia.
Tsai is scheduled to deliver a speech on her state tour at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after arriving at 12:55 p.m. Monday (local time).
