Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to visit Taiwan next week

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who riled China while in office with his criticism of it and attacks on its ruling Communist Party, will visit Taiwan next week and meet President Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwan government said on Monday.

Pompeoserved under then-President Donald Trump from 2018 until the end of the administration in January last year.

Taiwan's foreign ministry saidPompeoand his wife wouldvisitthe Chinese-claimed island from March 3-5, and also meet Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and give a speech at a think-tank.

"Former Secretary of StatePompeois a long-term and staunch friend ofTaiwanand made outstanding contributions to promotingTaiwan-U.S. relations during his time inoffice," the ministry said in a statement.

Hisvisitshows the bipartisan "rock solid" U.S. support forTaiwanand the closeTaiwan-U.S. friendship, it added.

The Trump administration gave strong backing toTaiwan, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, including high profile arms sales andvisits of top U.S. officials to Taipei.

Pompeoparticularly angered Beijing with his attacks on the Communist Party.

Chinahas stepped up its military and diplomatic pressure againstTaiwanover the past two years seeking to force the island to accept its sovereignty.

Taiwan's government says it wants peace but will defend itself if attacked, and that only the island's people have the right to decide their future.