Trump talk with Taiwan leader irks China
BEIJING (AP) — In a break with decades long diplomatic tradition, president-elect Donald Trump spoke directly with the president of Taiwan, a move that drew an irritated response from China and looked set to cast uncertainty over US policy toward Asia.
It is perhaps unprecedented for a US president or presidentelect to speak directly with a leader of Taiwan, a selfgoverning island the US broke diplomatic ties with in 1979.
China lodged a diplomatic protest on yesterday after Trump spoke to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing- wen, but blamed the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own for the “petty” move.
China’s Foreign Ministry said it had lodged “stern representations” with what it called the “relevant US side,” urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties.
“The one China principle is the political basis of the ChinaUS relationship,” it said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said yesterday the contact between Tsai and Trump was “just a small trick by Taiwan” that he believed would not change US policy toward China, according to Hong Kong’s Phoenix TV.
“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,” Wang was quoted as saying.
Washington has pursued a so-called “one China” policy since 1979, when it shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland. Under that policy, the US recognizes Beijing as representing China but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.
A statement from Trump’s transition team said he spoke Friday with Tsai, who offered her congratulations.
“During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year,” the statement said.
Trump tweeted later: “The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!”
About an hour later, Trump groused about the reaction to the call. “Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call,” he tweeted.
The Taiwanese presidential office issued a statement early yesterday saying Trump and Tsai discussed issues affecting Asia and the future of US relations with Taiwan.
“The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer cooperative relations,” the statement said.
“The president also told US president-elect Trump that she hopes the US will continue to support Taiwan’s efforts in having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to international affairs in the future,” Tsai’s office said.
It said the two also “shared ideas and concepts” on “promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defense” to improve the lives of ordinary people.
The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive diplomatic relations involved.
China’s embassy in Washington, its foreign ministry in Beijing and Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to requests for comment.