Former US Secretary of State Pompeo leaves Taiwan after four-day visit to Taiwan
[The Epoch Times, March 5, 2022](The Epoch Times reporters Zhong Yuan and Lai Yiqing reported in Taipei) Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo left Taiwan today (5th). He said at a press conference in Taipei on the 4th that Taiwan should show its determination to defend itself and let Xi Jinping know that the war cost of committing Taiwan will be quite high.
This afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Pompeo, together with Yu Maochun, the former chief adviser on China policy of the State Council, and a group of 12 people arrived at Taoyuan International Airport. Xu Youdian, director of the North American Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, sent them off on behalf of Taiwan. When Pompeo left the stage, he waved goodbye to the people on the scene, shook hands with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel, and said with a smile, “We will meet again.”
Pompeo: Taiwan should show determination to defend itself
On the 4th, Pompeo pointed out in a Facebook post and a public speech at a press conference held by the Vision Foundation in Taipei that he believed that the United States should diplomatically recognize the Republic of China as a sovereign and independent country. In his speech, he mentioned that the United States should give the ROC diplomatic recognition that the danger posed by the Chinese Communist Party is the central threat of our time. The United States should diplomatically recognize Taiwan, the Republic of China, as a free and sovereign state. This has nothing to do with Taiwan’s future independence, but a clear and long-existing fact.
On behalf of the media, Lai Yizhong, the host of the press conference and CEO of the Vision Foundation, asked whether some people were worried that such a statement would “enrage a bad person”? Pompeo said that Taiwan must show its determination and let Xi Jinping know that committing Taiwan will cost a lot of war, but in addition to military invasion, Taiwan must also guard against other threats from the CCP, such as reducing the number of tourists, Taiwan must be careful Corresponding to Xi Jinping’s diplomatic and economic offensive.
Pompeo pointed out that cross-strait military risks cannot be discussed in a static way. The probability of the CCP’s military invasion of Taiwan depends on how Taiwan and Western countries respond, including how determined and prepared they are. The United States, for its part, hopes to listen more to Taiwan’s high-level expressions of its needs for armament and military training assistance. For example, if Taiwan has prepared a fund to purchase equipment, the United States will also provide relevant training.
According to media reports, Pompeo’s visit to Taiwan was for business reasons, and the host asked why he came to Taiwan; Pompeo said that he has wanted to come to Taiwan for a long time, but the epidemic has made travel more difficult. He wanted to come because of the values Taiwanese love, such as freedom and freedom of speech, which are cherished by the United States. Pompeo mentioned that he met protesters on the morning of the 4th, which reminded him of the United States and thanked Taiwan for its actions to protect freedom.
Talking about the situation between Russia and Ukraine, Pompeo said that what Russia has done has taught everyone a lot. He believes that every freedom-loving country should increase its reliance on cooperation with each other, rather than on dictatorial powers, especially in terms of economy and diplomacy. Many European countries, including Germany, have long relied on Russian natural gas. During his tenure as secretary of state, he repeatedly called on Germany to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, otherwise it would be severely hit.
The outside world is curious whether Pompeo will run for the 2024 US presidential election? Pompeo said that he does not know what will happen in the future, but the mission of protecting democracy and protecting American freedom is something he has always been working on, whether he works in the government or not, “but I know that it is necessary to clearly distinguish between democracy and authoritarianism. I will continue this mission.”
Pompeo also mentioned that the United States is about to usher in the mid-term elections in November, and he looks forward to electing candidates who care about US-Taiwan relations and defend each other’s freedom. Pompeo also attended the closed-door roundtable luncheon hosted by the Vision Foundation with officials in the economic and trade field and representatives of the business community.
Taiwan’s Legislative President praised: Pompeo is a staunch force to curb the expansion of the CCP
On the evening of the 4th, Taiwan Legislative President You Xikun held a dinner for Pompeo. The participants included Cai Qichang, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan, Ke Jianming, Chairman of the Legislative Yuan of the Democratic Progressive Party, Zeng Mingzong, Chairman of the Legislative Yuan of the Kuomintang, Qiu Chenyuan, Chairman of the Legislative Yuan of the People’s Party, and Times Qiu Xianzhi and others were called by the Party Group of the Power Legislative Yuan.
You Xikun pointed out in a Facebook post that Pompeo, as Secretary of State, especially on November 12, 2020, publicly stated that “Taiwan has never been part of China (the Communist Party)”, clearly pointing out that Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Party are not affiliated to each other. The turbulent international community has played a role in stirring up turbulence and promoting justice.
After the “Taiwan Assurance Law” came into effect on December 27, 2020, You Xikun said that Pompeo has displayed the spirit of sword and performance again, and after half a month, all restrictions imposed by the U.S. government on Taiwan have been lifted, and the two sides have been removed. The stumbling block in government interaction, allowing officials from the two countries to openly share the stage and meet, is another proof of the leap-forward rise in Taiwan-US relations. Pompeo is a staunch force in promoting democracy and freedom around the world and curbing the expansion of communist China, and one of Taiwan’s most important friends.
He pointed out that Pompeo’s Facebook post accurately pinpointed the facts and status quo that has always existed in Taiwan. Taiwanese will always remember your support for Taiwan! To exert influence, continue to strengthen Taiwan-US relations, and work together for Indo-Pacific security and world democracy and freedom. I wish Taiwan-US-Bangyi sustainable development and good health to everyone.
On the 3rd, Pompeo met with President Tsai Ing-wen and was awarded the “Special Grand Ribbon Star Medal”. He stressed that failure to defend liberty, or to turn a blind eye to violations of liberty and human rights, is tantamount to giving those who seek to undermine liberty an opportunity to cause harm. He believes that under President Tsai, he will not watch others trample on his desire for freedom, and the United States will continue to stand with Taiwan.
When he visited the Executive Yuan, he said that he had served as Secretary of State for 4 years and a member of Congress for 6 years. He deeply realized that the world is divided into two camps: dictatorship and freedom. He realized that Taiwan is a group of people who want to live freely, and Taiwan also Work very hard to defend your freedom and the opportunity for the world to continue living a free life.
Pompeo pointed out that neighboring countries are deeply aware of the threat posed by the CCP, and everyone must find a way to stand up and let the CCP know that it is necessary to respect human rights, respect the dignity of the people, and respect the right of Taiwanese to pursue a free life.
Vice President Lai Qingde of the Republic of China hosted a banquet for Pompeo at the Grand Hotel, and specially prepared dried pineapples and delicacies to welcome the guests. TSMC Chairman Zhang Zhongmou and his wife, Xinlu Chairman Yin Qi, Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie and Legislator Luo Zhizheng all attended .
Pompeo will also meet with representatives of Taiwan’s business community, including senior executives from companies such as NSMC, Yimei, Jinghua and Sinosteel.
In addition, the senior cross-party delegation assigned by US President Biden ended their visit to Taiwan on the evening of March 2 and left Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US special mission had met with President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Qingde, and called on Executive President Su Zhenchang and Defense Minister. Qiu Guozheng also accepted the luncheon of Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie and the dinner of President Tsai, and exchanged in-depth views with senior national security and foreign affairs officials on various important issues such as Taiwan-US security cooperation.
Responsible editor: Lin Yan#