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Trump breaks US stance with direct Taiwan call | Trump breaks US stance with direct Taiwan call |
(about 1 hour later) | |
US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken directly with the president of Taiwan - breaking with US policy set in 1979 when formal relations were cut. | US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken directly with the president of Taiwan - breaking with US policy set in 1979 when formal relations were cut. |
Mr 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. | Mr 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. | The move risks angering China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province. |
China has hundreds of missiles pointing towards the island, and has threatened to take it by force if necessary. | China has hundreds of missiles pointing towards the island, and has threatened to take it by force if necessary. |
Beijing has so far made no public comment on the latest development. | Beijing has so far made no public comment on the latest development. |
Mr Trump's team also said that the president-elect "congratulated" Ms Tsai on becoming the president of Taiwan in January's elections. | Mr Trump's team also said that the president-elect "congratulated" Ms Tsai on becoming the president of Taiwan in January's elections. |
The 59-year-old, Taiwan's first female leader, led the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide victory in the poll. | The 59-year-old, Taiwan's first female leader, led the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide victory in the poll. |
The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China. | The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China. |
Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's shy but steely leader | Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's shy but steely leader |
Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, expressing its support for Beijing's "One China" policy. | |
President Tsai's administration does not accept the policy, which states that the Taiwan is part of China. | |
The US still maintains friendly non-official relations with Taiwan. | |
Meanwhile, Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Mr Trump's conversation did not signal any change to long-standing US policy. | |
"We remain firmly committed to our 'One China' policy,'' he said on Friday. | |
"Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations." |