Aside from a flight schedule, no one appeared to know the details of their trip to Taipei, Taiwan, other than that they would take care to avoid any involvement in the question of independence from China. The lawmakers said they expected to visit the foreign minister, an economic development official and lawmakers there, but that's about it.

Lobbyist Miles "Cap" Ferry, who organized the 11-day trip on behalf of Taiwan, didn't offer more details. In fact, he didn't like being questioned about it.

"I don't think it's any of your business," he said.

Taiwan is paying for the Utah delegation's visit, and no state money is being used. But lawmakers were invited because of their elected positions.

Past legislators have made similar trips to Taiwan, which has been courting officials from Congress and other states in their effort to forge relations with the United States. The U.S. government officially recognizes "one China" and does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., a former U.S. ambassador to Singapore who speaks Mandarin Chinese, was invited to go on the trip, but declined, according to Chief of Staff Jason Chaffetz.

"We explained that was not going to be possible," Chaffetz said. He declined to say why.

Common Cause of Utah, a government watchdog group, criticized the trip.

"It's of dubious legitimacy," says the group's director, Anthony Musci. "I don't know [that] you can say more without more details. But that's the problem, they're not giving you details."

Musci says the lack of transparency is questionable and he also wonders what state interest the trip serves.

Taiwan is paying for Ferry to go on the trip, but he says there is no other compensation. He is a registered lobbyist for several pharmaceutical companies and Envirocare, but not for Taiwan. The Taiwanese Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, which Ferry says is sponsoring the trip, did not return a call for comment.

Ferry couldn't provide the cost of the trip, but it could top $25,000, according to airfare and lodging prices quoted on a popular Internet travel site. That amount, though, probably won't be listed on any lobbyist report since it is touted as a state business trip, not a lobbyist gift.

State Election Director Michael Cragun says the lobbyist laws do not "appear to cover" this situation because there is an exemption for travel expenses and there is no pending legislation.

House members approved a resolution during the recent lawmaking session to support Taiwan's inclusion in the World Health Organization.

U.S. State Department spokesman Noel Clay said, "If they want to travel to Taiwan, it's completely up to them."

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, also said he would disclose details of the trip if he had them. He did, however, provide the flight schedule.

"I don't have itinerary of where we're going to be on the ground," said Valentine. "It's kind of fluid."

Valentine said he would keep track of meetings and disclose them after the trip.

The other lawmakers going are: House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy; Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville; Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City; Sen. Bev Evans, R-Altamont; Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R- Syracuse; Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara; and Rep. Brad Last, R-St. George. Last sponsored the Taiwan resolution in the recent session.

tburr@sltrib.com