China makes a formal protest
CHINA LODGED a diplomatic protest Saturday over President-elect Donald Trump’s unprecedented phone call with the leader of Taiwan — and blamed the island nation for the breach of protocol.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Trump’s conversation with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was a “little trick pulled off by Taiwan.”
The 10-minute call with Taiwan’s leadership Friday was the first by a U.S. President-elect or President since President Jimmy Carter cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, and acknowledged the island as part of “one China.”
“We urge the relevant parties in the U.S. to abide by the commitment to the oneChina policy” and “to handle Taiwan-related issues with caution and care to avoid unnecessarily interfering with the overall situation of Sino-US relations,” a statement released by the the Chinese foreign ministry said.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office also called the conversation a “petty” move by Taiwan that does not change the island’s status as part of China.
Trump defended the diplomatic faux pas with a tweet Friday, saying that it was Tsai who had initiated the call.
“The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!” he posted.
Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai said both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.
The Taipei Times, citing sources, said the call had been arranged by Trump’s “Taiwanfriendly campaign staff after his aides briefed him on issues regarding Taiwan and the situation in the Taiwan Strait.”
Yet even calling Tsai “president of” Taiwan could be seen as a provocation by Chinese officials.
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has threatened to use force if it officially seeks independence.
Tensions have been rising in the region since Tsai, who favors formal independence, was elected president in January.
Despite China’s metered response Saturday, concern about Trump’s policy toward the communist power is growing, said Shi Yinhong of Renmin University in Beijing.
The call could “convince people in Taiwan that the island can establish good relations with the U.S. and encourage (Tsai) to continue to resist pressure from Beijing,” Shi said.
In his comments Saturday, Wang sought to ease any tension by noting how soon Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken following the billionaire’s victory, adding that Trump had praised China as a great country.
Trump’s penchant for flouting diplomatic conventions has highlighted a number of issues that have plagued him since his Election Day win.
Trump has yet to name a secretary of state and his team has not reached out to State Department officials for guidance in dealing with foreign leaders.
Trump’s team did not alert the White House about Friday’s call ahead of time, Obama administration officials said.
The White House later said that “longstanding policy” on China and Taiwan had not changed.