TAIPEI (Reuters – Taiwan President TsaiIngwen conferred a presidential honor on ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on Thursday. It was in recognition for his efforts to improve relations with Taiwan. China’s most prominent newspaper slammed Pompeo again as a “liar.”

China placed sanctions upon Pompeo following his departure from office during the Trump presidency. They were angered at Pompeo’s repeated criticisms of China, particularly its ruling Communist Party and support of Chinese-claimed Taiwan.

Tsai met Pompeo in Taipei’s presidential office and thanked him profusely for Taiwan’s support.

She said, “Visiting such a friend as Secretary Pompeo is a testimony to strong Taiwan-U.S. friendship.”

Tsai gave him the Order of the Brilliant Star and Grand Cordon. This is Taiwan’s highest honour. Donald Rumsfeld (former Secretary of Defense), is another honoree.

Pompeo, who was wearing a mask that had U.S.- and Taiwanese flags on it, stated that he is proud of the achievements he made while in office, which included sending U.S. officials there.

“It’s not offensive to assert that one needs freedom. “It is indeed a sign of lack of resolve to leave these things,” he stated.

China placed sanctions on Pompeo’s “lying, cheating” and 27 other Trump-era officials when President Joe Biden was inaugurated in January 2021.

China’s most prestigious newspaper, People’s Daily (the party’s official People’s Daily), called Pompeo, in a Thursday commentary, an anti-China politician “extremely famous” who took pride in lying while in office.

His trip to Taiwan was described as “collusion with outside forces cannot bring security and well-being for Taiwanese citizens.”

Donald Trump’s government supported Taiwan despite the fact that there were no formal diplomatic ties. This included high-profile arms sales, visits by U.S. top officials and other notable actions like visiting Taipei. China has increased its diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan in the last two years to make the island accept its sovereignty. Taiwan’s democratically-elected government says it wants peace but will defend itself if attacked, and that only the island’s people have the right to decide their future.