Pompeo: "The World Has Been Exposed to China's Threat for Too Long"

Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State.
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed that "the world has been exposed to the threat of China for too long."

At the Quad meeting of foreign ministers from the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India held in Tokyo on the 6th, Secretary Pompeo, in an exclusive interview with Japan's NHK, mentioned that "China is engaging in threatening behavior, including militarily," and said that countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan, must unite to respond to China's threat.

Secretary Pompeo stated that China is continuing to display military power and threatening behavior in the East and South China Seas, saying, "The world has been exposed to China's threat for too long," and emphasized, "Now is the time to seriously address this issue." He added that China is accelerating its maritime expansion, warning, "If you show weakness, you will be exploited," and said, "Concessions benefit countries that try to solve problems using coercive military means."

He urged that not only the four countries?the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India?but also the entire Indo-Pacific region, including ASEAN and other like-minded countries, must stand up to China.

Regarding the escalating U.S.-China conflict over Hong Kong and Taiwan, Pompeo said, "This is not a U.S.-China issue but a matter of choosing between freedom and autocracy." He emphasized that "Is it good for the world to be dominated by countries that bully the weak using military or coercive power?" and stressed that the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues are not just U.S.-China matters but concerns for the international community.

Meanwhile, Secretary Pompeo explained the reason why U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on visiting Japan despite being infected with COVID-19, saying, "To confirm that the Indo-Pacific is open and free, governed by law, and that we oppose the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.