President Lai meets with ex-U.S. Vice President Pence

Taipei, Jan. 17 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with former United States Vice President Mike Pence in Taipei on Friday and expressed hope for stronger ties with the incoming U.S. administration on trade and other issues.

According to a press release issued by the Presidential Office after the meeting, Lai called for deeper collaborations among democratic nations in the face of China's sustained military threats against Taiwan and the challenges posed by authoritarian regimes around the world.

The president also expressed hope for enhanced economic exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S. during Donald Trump's upcoming second term as president, which is set to begin next week, as well as stronger collaboration with Congress

During the meeting with Pence, who served as vice president during Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021, Lai highlighted Pence's support for Taiwan and his role in advancing Taiwan-U.S. relations.

Taiwan-U.S. relations "reached unprecedented heights" during the Trump-Pence administration with its policy of "normalizing" arms sales to Taiwan and measures to strengthen bilateral economic and trade ties, Lai said.

Lai also thanked Pence for voicing support for Taiwan's efforts to take part in global affairs, calling him "a steadfast friend of Taiwan" on the international stage, the press release said.

Meanwhile, Pence, who is visiting Taiwan as part of his Asia-Pacific tour, said he would continue advocating for strong U.S.-Taiwan ties founded on shared values and mutual interests, according to the press release.

The U.S. is committed to maintaining the status quo as China seeks to alter it, Pence was cited as saying, adding that American people were concerned about China's provocative acts in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

In addition to meeting with Lai, Pence also gave a keynote speech at a forum in Taipei and attended a banquet hosted by Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) on Friday.

Pence, who founded the policy advocacy group Advancing American Freedom after leaving office, was invited to Taiwan by private organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier on Friday.