In a March 11, 2021 article, the CCP state-run media outlet Global Times accused former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of "seeking to get selfish gains and hijack China-U.S. relations" after he said during an interview with Taiwan's CNA news agency that he was interested in visiting Taiwan.[1]
In ad hominem attacks on Pompeo, the Global Times stated that "with his credibility hitting rock bottom, [Pompeo] already became a byword for lying." The article included insults attributed to unnamed "netizens" from unspecified sources, such as a jibe that Pompeo is a "dead mouse (who) doesn't feel the cold."
Although the article dismissed Pompeo as a "crazy has-been," it also included implicit acknowledgement of Pompeo's legacy and enduring influence in U.S.-China affairs. It added that Pompeo may run for office in the next U.S. presidential election, making any visit to Taiwan a cynical attempt to garner "[the Taiwan] DPP's (Democratic Progressive Party) support for the 2024 election." It also warned that Pompeo's visit has the potential to grant him "selfish gains and hijack China-U.S. relations."
The Global Times took umbrage with Pompeo's tentative plan for a Taiwan visit because it struck at one of the Chinese government's most visceral fears: that international attitudes will ultimately shift in support of a formal declaration of Taiwanese independence. It is worth noting that during his term as U.S. Secretary of State, Pompeo vocally supported Taiwan's independence; in November 2020, he noted that Taiwan "has not been a part of China" and that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should keep the "status quo" based on equal dignity.[2] Before leaving office, Pompeo also lifted restrictions[3] on contacts between U.S. diplomats and their Taiwanese counterparts.
Below is the Global Times' article:[4]
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed interest in visiting Taiwan during a recent interview. (Source: Cna.com.tw)
Pompeo Is Prohibited From Entering The Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong And Macao
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"Netizens from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan mocked former U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo for expressing wishes to visit the island, saying the sanctioned politician is a 'has-been' and a 'dead mouse' seeking profits from Taiwan.
"Pompeo made the remarks in an interview with Taiwan's CNA news agency on Wednesday [March 10, 2021]. 'It would be wonderful to get the chance to travel there (Taiwan) someday. I would truly enjoy that. It would be a real treat,' he said.
"Joanne Ou, a spokesperson of the Taiwan authority in charge of foreign affairs, said Taiwan authorities sincerely welcome Pompeo to visit the island, but the two sides have not discussed any specific plans yet.
"Despite the courting of Taiwan authorities and media toward the former U.S. politician, who has been notorious for provoking the Chinese government by staying close to the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), some Taiwan netizens saw through the political intentions of Pompeo in his wishful visit to the island.
"'A dead mouse doesn't feel the cold… It seems that he is seeking the DPP's support for the 2024 election,' commented one Taiwan netizen on Facebook. 'Look! The crazy has-been politician is coming to rake in money from Taiwan again,' commented another netizen.
"Some advised to serve Pompeo additive-fed pork when he comes, ridiculing the Taiwan authorities for easing restrictions on the imports of ractopamine-enhanced pork from the U.S. in August 2020 to boost ties with Washington, which has caused a great wave of dissent from more than 70 percent of the island's residents.
"Pompeo's remarks were also mocked by social media users in the Chinese mainland. 'Welcome Pompeo as an ordinary US citizen to visit our treasure island of Taiwan,' a Sina Weibo user teased. Before stepping down, Pompeo announced on January 9 the lifting of all 'self-imposed restrictions' to regulate American 'diplomats, service members, and other officials' interactions' with their counterparts on Taiwan, which was hyped as big progress in their so-called 'bilateral relations' by some media.
"However, right after Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th U.S. president on January 20, China's Foreign Ministry announced sanctions on 28 anti-China politicians in the Trump administration, including Pompeo.
"Pompeo and other individuals as well as their immediate family members are prohibited from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, according to the Foreign Ministry. They and companies and institutions associated with them are also restricted from doing business with China.
"Pompeo, with his credibility hitting rock bottom, already became a byword for lying, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a regular press conference in February. 'After leaving office, Pompeo and his like are still seeking to get selfish gains and hijack China-U.S. relations by taking an anti-China stance. Their attempts are doomed to fail,' Wang said."
