KMT Chairwoman's US banquets draw comparisons to past visits

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Hsu Chih-jung is continuing her tour of the United States with a series of overseas Chinese banquets. Her upcoming event in New York is planned for 70 tables, while a previous banquet in Los Angeles reportedly sold all 1,000 tickets, including 12 tables priced at $5,000 each. However, some within the overseas Chinese community have drawn comparisons to past KMT visits.

Sources within the overseas Chinese community noted that former President Ma Ying-jeou held a banquet with 200 tables in Los Angeles approximately 20 years ago during a similar visit. They suggest that organizing 100 tables for Hsu's event is not an exceptionally difficult feat. This historical context has been brought up as KMT officials promote the scale of Hsu's current tour.

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Former President Ma Ying-jeou held 200 tables in the same location 20 years ago.

The KMT's delegation has benefited from significant logistical support during their US trip. A wealthy overseas Chinese entrepreneur reportedly sponsored a private eight-seater jet to facilitate travel between cities on the West and East Coasts, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the delegation's itinerary. This support is intended to streamline movement for the 14-person group.

However, the use of the private jet has reportedly caused some inconvenience. Due to differing departure and arrival times and locations, the group has had to split, with eight members on the private jet and six on commercial flights. This has led to a need for separate arrangements for airport pickups, causing some overseas Chinese hosts to express dissatisfaction.

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The KMT's trip has been facilitated by a private jet sponsored by a prominent overseas Chinese entrepreneur.