Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is currently visiting Taiwan with his wife, Karen Pence. The former vice president spoke at the Taipei Language Institute this Friday afternoon, highlighting the importance of his visit by underscoring the two nations’ shared democratic values.
The former Vice President shared his pride that throughout his career he has admired the Taiwanese people’s dedication to freedom and that he will always be a champion for a free and democratic Taiwan. He expressed gratitude to have the chance to reflect on the challenges that the people of Taiwan and the United States face.
Pence stated that while he no longer speaks for the U.S. government, he can say with absolute certainty that the American people cherish their relationship with the people of Taiwan. Saying he is convinced that the U.S. will never abandon its Pacific allies, Pence called upon the incoming administration, and freedom-loving nations across the world, to urgently renew their commitment to providing Taiwan with the support it needs to defend itself and its freedom. He underscored that America stands with Taiwan.
Pence was in Hong Kong on Thursday to attend a forum with business leaders. According to The Hill, his upcoming plans in Taiwan include meetings with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), whom Pence has known since Hsiao’s time working as Taiwanese representative to the United States from 2020 to 2023.