TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A delegation of Italian lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Thursday, and were welcomed by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍).

The group, led by Alessandro Cattaneo, represents the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. Comprised of members from six different Italian political parties, this delegation is the largest to visit Taiwan in recent years, according to a press release.

The group also includes: Gerolamo Cangiano, Emanuele Loperfido, Roberto Traversi, Fabrizio Benzoni, Vanessa Cattoi, and Simona Flavia Malpezzi. The legislators will remain in Taiwan until Jan. 12, and will meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and other members of the Cabinet.

The delegation is here to better understand the social, political, and economic environment of Taiwan. They also hope to further enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of trade, new technology, and education, while also promoting regional peace and stability, per the press release.

While in Taiwan, the lawmakers are expected to visit the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu Science Park, STMicroelectronics, and an artificial intelligence laboratory. The visit by the delegation comes just a month after the Taiwan company GlobalWafers began operations at the new wafer fab in Novara, Italy.