Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Taiwan with his wife on Wednesday (2/3) evening for a four-day visit.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival at Taoyuan airport, Pompeo said he was looking forward to meeting businessmen and government officials during his visit to the island.
“And I am very much looking forward to my trip to meet great business people, government officials and people across your country. Thank you so much for taking the time to host me here with my wife Susan. I know we’re going to have a great few days of visitation,” Pompeo said.
Pompeo is due to meet Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday and deliver a speech at a forum hosted by the government-affiliated Prospect Foundation on Friday.
As America’s secretary of state from April 2018 to January 2021, Pompeo facilitated the US administration’s approval of arms sales to Taiwan and strengthened bilateral ties.
He also voiced support for Taiwan’s participation in major international organizations and condemned China’s human rights abuses in Xinjiang as well as its crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong. [lt/jm]