US applauds Taiwan president re-election: Pompeo

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday said the United States congratulated Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on her re-election and lauded her for seeking stability with China "in the face of unrelenting pressure."

In a statement that could anger Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of China, Pompeo said that Taiwan's democratic system, a free-market economy and civil society, made it "a model for the Indo-Pacific region and a force for good in the world."

"The United States thanks to President Tsai for her leadership in developing a strong partnership with the United States and applauds her commitment to maintaining cross-Strait stability in the face of unrelenting pressure," Pompeo said.

While Pompeo did not mention Beijing by name, his comment referred to the pressure that Tsai has faced from China throughout her first term.