Mike Pompeo hails Tsai Ing-wen's courage in leading Taiwan's vibrant democracy

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a congratulatory message for Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's inauguration, becoming the first high-level foreign government official to do so.

"Her re-election by a huge margin shows that she has earned the respect, admiration, and trust of the people on Taiwan," Pompeo said in the statement yesterday, CNA reports.

Pompeo said Tsai's courage and vision in leading Taiwan's vibrant democracy is an inspiration to the region and the world, and he said he is confident that the U.S.-Taiwan partnership will continue to flourish under her leadership.

According to Taiwan's foreign ministry, this was the first time a U.S. secretary of state issued a congratulatory message for such an occasion.