US President-elect Donald Trump has directly spoke with the president of Taiwan – breaking Washington’s policy set in 1979, when formal relations were cut, reports said on Saturday.
Trump’s transition team said he and Tsai Ing-wen noted “close economic, political, and security ties” between the US and Taiwan in a phone call.
The move risks angering China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reportedly dismissed the call as a “petty trick” by Taiwan.
Trump tweeted that Tsai had called him to congratulate him on winning the US election.
His team said that the US president-elect had also congratulated Tsai on becoming the president of Taiwan in January’s elections.
Congratulatory call
It is highly unusual for a US president or president-elect to speak to a Taiwanese leader directly.
Following media reports pointing out the risks of angering China, Trump tweeted: “Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.”
The White House has said Trump’s conversation did not signal any change in US policy.
Trump’s spokeswoman said he was “well aware” of what US policy has been on Taiwan.
Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, expressing its support for Beijing’s “One China” concept, which states that Taiwan is part of China.
China’s response
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it opposed any official interaction or military contact between the US and Taiwan, according to the People’s Daily, a Communist Party mouthpiece.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the conversation between Trump and Tsai was “just a petty trick by Taiwan” that he believed would not change US policy toward China, state media reported.
“The One-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-US relations and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged,” he was quoted as saying.
The comment was repeated in a formal statement by the foreign ministry reported by Xinhua.
Source: BBC
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