WASHINGTON – Kansas Young Republicans attending the Young Republican Leadership Conference in Washington met with Ambassador Lyushun Shen, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, while attending a reception at the historic Twin Oaks Estate, a 19th century English Georgian mansion.

Shen has connections to the Kansas City area, having previously been stationed at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office at 3100 Broadway in Kansas City, Mo.

National Committeeman Trey Joy of Smith Center was among the Kansas Young Republicans participating in the reception for members of the Young Republican National Federation.

Taiwan is the United States’ 12th largest trading partner.

“We were honored and humbled to meet with the Ambassador, an extremely knowledgeable and history-minded representative of his country,” KYR Chairman Brandon Kenig, Shawnee, said. “Taiwan is a key ally of the United States, and as a modern and prosperous democracy similar to our own, we are cognizant of the security threats Taiwan faces from its neighbors, most notably China. We are grateful that Taiwan’s diplomats so graciously opened their residence to us and giving us an opportunity to learn more about the political, cultural, and economic ties between our two countries.”

Kenig and Joy were joined by KYR representatives Ashley Moretti, Overland Park, and Lee Modesitt, Manhattan.