Image Credit: Taiwan News
Beijing’s assertion that Taiwan is part of China is untrue, said former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a Hudson Institute event on Tuesday, 17 September. Pompeo, who has been vocal about Taiwan’s sovereignty, encouraged the United States to strengthen its diplomatic stance and regional partnerships to counter the growing influence of China.
During his address, Pompeo, now a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute, reflected on his efforts as Secretary of State, where he worked to redefine U.S. policy toward Taiwan. According to Liberty Times, he highlighted his decision to decouple Taiwan from the broader U.S.-China policy framework, marking a significant shift in American foreign policy. Pompeo also underscored that he was the first senior U.S. official in nearly 50 years to advocate for restoring formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Pompeo expressed a hope that both current and future U.S. leaders would prioritise Taiwan in shaping foreign policies, seeing it as crucial for maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He also reiterated that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation, urging Americans to acknowledge this fact despite Beijing’s continued efforts to dismiss Taiwan’s autonomy.
Further, Pompeo encouraged Taiwan’s supporters to unite in preserving peace and justice across the region. He framed China’s denial of Taiwan’s sovereignty as a fear-driven response to what he described as an undeniable truth, adding that it is critical to challenge the Chinese Communist Party’s narrative.
Pompeo has been consistent in his support for Taiwan, having previously visited Taipei in May, where he called for strengthening U.S.-Taiwan partnerships to better counter China’s growing influence in the region.