Visiting Taiwan for Economic Benefits, Not Political Purposes
Strong Criticism of Taiwan Authorities Begging the US for Security with Citizens' Money
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] Chinese state media disparaged former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a greedy politician, claiming he is visiting Taiwan to make money. While the U.S. political sphere outwardly frames visits to Taiwan as politically motivated for Taiwan's independence, Chinese media share the common view that these are actually business visits.
Huanqiu Shibao reported on the 26th that former Secretary Pompeo will attend and deliver the keynote speech at the "1st Global Taiwan Business Forum," hosted by Taiwan media Liberty Times, on the 27th.
The outlet explained that Pompeo will visit Taiwan for three days starting on the 26th, marking his second visit this year following one in March. It added that during his March visit, Pompeo received an invitation fee of $150,000 (approximately 213 million KRW) from Taiwan.
Huanqiu Shibao sarcastically suggested that Pompeo will again receive invitation fees from Taiwanese companies such as TSMC this time.
It also reported that Pompeo will deliver the opening speech at the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce Federation and visit some Taiwanese companies.
Huanqiu Shibao pointed out that Taiwan's diplomatic budget for this year is $936 million, of which $41 million (58.3 billion KRW) is a confidential budget allocated to support anti-China forces.
Citing experts, Huanqiu Shibao criticized the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan for conducting "cash diplomacy" to pursue political goals such as independence, while accusing U.S. politicians of visiting Taiwan for economic gains rather than political purposes.
It further claimed that Taiwan's authorities are using the hard-earned money of Taiwanese people to feed the greedy American politicians, arguing that money cannot buy security and will only worsen the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
Former Secretary Pompeo was a leading figure in the Trump administration's hardline policy toward China. The Chinese government has banned Pompeo from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
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