TAIPEI, Taiwan: Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged President-elect Donald Trump to reaffirm his support for Taiwan in case of a Chinese invasion.

During a visit to Taipei last week, Pence warned that if China takes over Taiwan, it would affect global trade, technology, and nuclear security.

"The fall of Taiwan would likely spark a new nuclear arms race," he said. "Smaller Asian nations concerned about Chinese aggression would no longer be confident of American deterrence. American security commitments would be viewed as empty promises, destabilizing not only this region but the wider world."

He explained that countries might feel forced to develop their own nuclear weapons, raising the risk of global nuclear conflict.

The U.S. is Taiwan's leading arms supplier and supports the current balance between Taiwan and China. However, China has threatened to take over the island, even by force.

Last year, while campaigning, Trump questioned U.S. support for Taiwan, accusing the island of taking the chip industry from America and suggesting Taiwan should pay for U.S. protection against China.

Speaking at an event in Taipei, Pence expressed confidence that the U.S. would never abandon its allies in the Pacific. He urged the new administration and other democracies to strengthen their commitment to Taiwan's defense and freedom.

He also encouraged Trump's administration to begin talks on a free trade deal with Taiwan, an idea supported by many U.S. and Taiwanese leaders but likely to provoke China.

Pence noted that during Trump's first term, they shifted U.S. views on China. "Now, there's broad agreement in Washington that China is the biggest strategic and economic threat to our country and allies in this century," he said.

Later, Pence attended a business event in Hong Kong, where he called for the release of jailed publisher Jimmy Lai.