Taipei, July 16 (CNA) Former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr. arrived in Taiwan Monday to gain a better understanding of issues related to Taipei-Washington ties and Taiwan's political and economic developments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that day.

During a three-day visit, Huntsman is scheduled to meet with President Ma Ying-jeou, Foreign Minister Timothy Yang and Deputy Economics Minister Francis Liang, the ministry said in a statement.

Huntsman, also a former governor of Utah, will deliver a speech titled "America 2012: Challenges and Opportunities" Wednesday in Taipei.

In 2011, Huntsman resigned as ambassador to China to become a U.S. presidential candidate. However, he terminated his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination and endorsed his party fellow Mitt Romney earlier this year.

The 52-year-old politician has paid several visits to Taiwan over the past years, the ministry said. In 1979, he embarked on a two-year Mormon mission to Taiwan.

Huntsman has also served as U.S. trade ambassador, deputy assistant secretary of commerce for East Asia and the Pacific, and ambassador to Singapore.

(By Elaine Hou)
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