China downplays former US Secretary Esper as 'arms lobbyist' during Taiwan visit

Former Secretary Pompeo Received $150,000 for March Taiwan Visit, Esper Expected to Receive Similar Amount
Chinese Foreign and Defense Ministries Severely Warn Former US Senior Officials on Taiwan Visits and Arms Sales

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese authorities fiercely criticized former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper's visit to Taiwan, claiming it violated the Shanghai Communique. Chinese media alleged that former Secretary Esper visited Taiwan to sell weapons and would receive a large invitation fee.

According to Chinese state media such as the Global Times and Shanghai Observer on the 19th, former Secretary Esper is visiting Taiwan from the 18th to the 21st and will meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during his visit.

Chinese media reported that former Secretary Esper visited Taiwan along with Barry Pavel, director of the Atlantic Council, a U.S. foreign policy and security think tank, and Stefano Stefanini, former Italian representative to NATO.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that regarding the visit of a former senior U.S. official to Taiwan, the U.S. must handle the Taiwan issue cautiously for the sake of China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and must honor the commitments made in the joint communique. It also urged the U.S. to withdraw arms sales to Taiwan.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense also said that the U.S. bears full responsibility for damaging China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, warning sternly that the Chinese People's Liberation Army will take resolute measures against external interference and separatist (independence) attempts.

Following the U.S. approval of military technical support worth $108 million to Taiwan, and former Secretary Esper's visit to Taiwan, it appears that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Defense have issued official responses.

The Global Times belittled former Secretary Esper's visit, calling him merely a weapons lobbyist. The outlet reported that Esper, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, served as a senior executive at defense company Raytheon Technologies before serving as Secretary of Defense under the Donald Trump administration. It claimed that after retirement, Esper was rehired by the defense contractor Epirus, labeling him a weapons lobbyist.

Professor Diao Daming of Renmin University explained, "Former Secretary Esper is closely connected with U.S. arms manufacturers and Republican Party leadership," adding, "His visit to Taiwan appears to be a move for additional arms sales."

Chinese media cited the example of former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, stating that former Secretary Esper would receive a large invitation fee from Taiwan.

Quoting Taiwan's United Daily News and others, Chinese media reported that Pompeo, who visited Taiwan in March, received a total of $184,000 (approximately 243 million KRW), including a $150,000 invitation fee from Taiwan, sarcastically suggesting that former Secretary Esper would receive a similar amount.

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