China represents Taiwan as the most delicate and critical issue in its ties with the United States and has been provoked by the Trump administration’s stepped-up care for the Chinese-claimed yet democratically ruled island, such as arms sales.
Talking in a US radio interview on Thursday, Pompeo declared: “Taiwan has not been a part of China”.
“That was recognized with the work that the Reagan administration did to lay out the policies that the United States has adhered to now for three-and-a-half decades,” he continued.
WATCH: UCLA PROTESTORS LOST THEIR MIND CALLING THE UNIVERSITY A VIOLENT INSTITUTION
The United States is obliged by law to present Taiwan with ways to defend itself and officially only acknowledges the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of it, rather than explicitly accepting China’s statements.
WATCH: TRUMP'S ATTORNEY FACING INDICTMENT IN ARIZONA
Lecturing in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin declared Taiwan was an absolute part of China and that Pompeo was moreover hurting Sino-US ties.
“We solemnly tell Pompeo and his ilk, that any behavior that undermines China’s core interests and interferes with China’s domestic affairs will be met with a resolute counterattack by China,” he said, without elaborating.
DRAMATIC COURTROOM TWIST: WIFE OF ACCUSED 'CLIFF-DRIVER' MAKES DESPERATE PLEA FOR HUSBAND
China has seated sanctions on US companies marketing weapons to Taiwan and flew fighter jets near the island when senior US officials attended Taipei this year.
IS MCDONALD'S BECOMING THE NEW CHAMPION OF AFFORDABILITY?
The defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after the communists, who founded the People’s Republic of China, won them over in a civil war.
As it turns out, The vast majority of Taiwanese are unwilling to accept China's claims on the reunification between the island and the "motherland". This is the conclusion of a survey published yesterday by Taiwan’s Bureau for connections with Beijing, the Mainland Affairs Council.
MICHAEL RAPAPORT FURIOUS AFTER SHOW GETS CANCELED
The study, carried out on a sample of over a thousand people, shows that 86.4% of respondents believe that only the 23 million Taiwanese have the right to decide the future of the nation and the course of relations with Communist China.
HOT OFF THE PRESS: DAILY CALLER OBTAINS SECRET GAG ORDER
The survey reveals support for strong connections with the United States. 73.4% of the Taiwanese interviewed favor military cooperation with Washington. More generally, 68% supported the recently approved legislation to protect the country's democratic system.
NEED TO SEE TO BELIEVE: DISGRACED BALTIMORE DA MARILYN MOSBY'S PLEA FOR MERCY (WATCH)
Taiwan foreign ministry spokeswoman, Joanne Ou, praised Pompeo for his help.
“The Republic of China in Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country and not part of the People’s Republic of China. This is a fact and the current situation,” she said.
Taiwan officials will visit Washington next week for economic discussions, which have also bothered Beijing.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
