NEW YORK (TVBS News) — Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih received a warm welcome from supporters upon his arrival at JFK International Airport on Thursday (Sept. 14) evening local time and expressed sincere gratitude toward the excited crowd.
With the election merely four months away, close to a hundred overseas Taiwanese awaited Hou at the airport, carrying banners and cheering "Win the election" (凍蒜) and "President Hou."
Despite enduring a 15-hour flight, Hou did not appear tired and took selfies with groups of supporters, saying, "This is amazing. I am truly grateful."
"We must love the Republic of China, Taiwan, and move forward firmly for the sake of the country's sustainability and prosperity," the KMT presidential hopeful emphasized.
In her tweet, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chair Laura Rosenberger wrote: "AIT welcomes New Taipei City Mayor Hou to the United States. I look forward to meeting you during your visit to the Washington, D.C. area."
Hou is in the United States from Sept.14 to 22. Throughout the 8-day trip visiting New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, and San Francisco, Hou will visit think tanks and foreign policy organizations and meet with several American political figures and overseas Taiwanese.