China hawk John Bolton to meet President Tsai Ing-wen during week-long Taiwan trip
- Former US national security adviser has been invited by pro-independence groups to speak at two events in Taipei
- He will also meet other government officials and party leaders to discuss regional and cross-strait security issues
“We welcome all international friends to visit,” it said in a statement. “As a long-time supporter of Taiwan, the ministry extends its utmost welcome for Bolton to visit and offers all necessary assistance to facilitate his stay here.”
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According to the ministry, Bolton – who arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday – will address the annual meeting of the World Taiwanese Congress on Saturday. He will also speak at the Formosan Association for Public Affairs’ 40th anniversary banquet on Monday.
Tsai Ming-yen, director of the National Security Bureau, Taiwan’s top intelligence agency, confirmed that he would meet Bolton later this week to discuss ways to boost the island’s defences.
“We respect all kinds of proposals from our friends to increase the defence capability of Taiwan and will have in-depth discussion with [Bolton] on what would be his view,” Tsai Ming-yen told lawmakers on Wednesday when asked if the former US official’s visit would be beneficial to Taiwan.