Mike Pence to Trump: cutting Taiwan support would ‘likely spark a new nuclear arms race’

Former vice-president makes surprise visit to Taipei and predicts that if China annexes its neighbour other Asia-Pacific countries will build nuclear arsenals

Mike Pence called on Donald Trump's incoming administration to maintain support for Taiwan against the threat of Chinese annexation during a surprise visit to the capital, Taipei, on Friday.

On the eve of Trump's inauguration for his second term as president, his estranged former vice-president said withdrawing or reducing support for Taiwan - as Trump has repeatedly indicated he is considering - would endanger global security and likely spark a new nuclear arms race" in the Asia-Pacific region.