Aug. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou will leave for Paraguay and the Dominican Republic today in his first state visit overseas since taking office May 20.

The president will depart Taipei at 4.30 p.m. local time, staying a night in Los Angeles before catching a connecting flight to Paraguay, Wang Yu-chi, a spokesman at the president's office said by telephone today. While Ma will also stop over in San Francisco on his way back to Taipei, no press conferences or statements are planned in the U.S., Wang said.

Ma wants to keep a low profile in the U.S. and avoid any ``surprises'' to build mutual trust, Henry Chen, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today. While Ma has no scheduled public appointments, he may hold private meetings with U.S. officials, Chen said.

Ma is eager to improve ties with the U.S. and China that were strained during the eight-year term of former president Chen Shui-bian. Chen in 2006 was refused permission by the U.S. to stay overnight in a major city on his way to South America.

The U.S. maintains a diplomatic balancing act with China and Taiwan, publicly supporting a ``one-China'' policy in which it recognizes the government in Beijing and rejects the notion of independence for Taiwan while remaining the island's chief ally.

Ma will be in Paraguay Aug. 15 and the Dominican Republic the following day to attend inauguration ceremonies for leaders of the two countries, which are among 23 countries that recognize Taiwan.

To contact the reporter on this story: Janet Ong in Taipei at jong3@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: August 11, 2008 22:03 EDT