The United States must diplomatically recognize Taiwan as a "free and sovereign state," former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a visit to Taipei, AFP reported.

Pompeo, one of President Donald Trump's most outspoken advisers to China, arrived on Wednesday amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over the island and amid a crisis sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

As long as Washington must continue to work with Beijing as a sovereign government, "offering diplomatic recognition to Taiwan can no longer be ignored, avoided or treated as secondary," Pompeo told a local think tank.

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"In my opinion, the United States must immediately take the necessary and belated steps in the right and obvious direction - to offer Taiwan diplomatic recognition by the United States as a free and sovereign country."

Washington is Taiwan's most important ally and leading arms supplier, although in 1979 it changed its diplomatic stance in favor of Beijing.

Beijing itself considers Taiwan its territory, which will be returned, if necessary by force, reminds BNR.

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Mike Pompeo