TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Wednesday that a trade delegation is visiting the Philippines, but did not mention whether Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) is taking part.

Lin was reported to be leading the delegation, but MOFA Spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said the ministry had no comment.

Hsiao said that Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin (黃昭欽), CIECA Chair Lyu Chieh-chung (呂桔誠), and US-Taiwan Business Council Executive Vice President Lotta Danielsson led Taiwanese and US companies to the Philippines to assess its investment and trade environment, CNA reported.

The trip was meant to advance a Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor under the New Southbound Policy, Hsiao said.

The group is visiting Subic Bay, New Clark City, and Manila, where they are engaging with local governments and park administrators. Certain Philippine industry and association representatives are meeting with the Taiwan trade mission.

Hsiao said that Taiwan and the Philippines recognize the success of this visit and believe that follow-up efforts will help advance cooperation projects under the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor.