Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te has returned to Taiwan from his trip to Paraguay. The visit included stopovers in the United States.

Lai attended the inauguration ceremony of the South American country's new president, Santiago Pena, as the envoy of President Tsai Ing-wen. Paraguay is the only country in South America that has diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Speaking at an airport after his return to Taiwan on Friday morning, Lai said the visit was worthwhile. He added he believes the trip will strengthen diplomatic ties and mutual cooperation with Paraguay.

Lai stopped in New York on his way to Paraguay and San Francisco on his way back.

He made only brief reference to the stopovers.

The trip's itinerary showed that Lai attended a party in San Francisco with some other Taiwanese people. There have been no reports of Lai contacting US lawmakers or senior government officials in the US.

The low-key attitude apparently reflects Taiwan's efforts to give China no pretext for countermeasures.

Lai, who is slated to run in the presidential election in January, may also be aiming to convince the US that he is a candidate who can prudently handle relations between China and Taiwan.