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Trump breaks US policy stance with direct Taiwan call | Trump breaks US policy 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. |
But Mr Trump tweeted that Ms Tsai had called him, to congratulate him on winning the US election. | But Mr Trump tweeted that Ms Tsai had called him, to congratulate him on winning the US election. |
Meanwhile his team said that the US president-elect had congratulated also Ms Tsai on becoming the president of Taiwan in January's elections. | Meanwhile his team said that the US president-elect had congratulated also Ms Tsai on becoming the president of Taiwan in January's elections. |
It is highly unusual for a US president or president-elect to speak to a Taiwanese leader directly. | 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, Mr Trump tweeted: "Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call." | Following media reports pointing out the risks of angering China, Mr 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 Mr Trump's conversation did not signal any change in US policy. | The White House has said Mr Trump's conversation did not signal any change in US policy. |
Mr Trump's spokeswoman said Mr Trump was "well aware" of what US policy has been on Taiwan. | Mr Trump's spokeswoman said Mr Trump was "well aware" of what US policy has been on Taiwan. |
China has hundreds of missiles pointing towards Taiwan, and has threatened to use force if it seeks independence. | China has hundreds of missiles pointing towards Taiwan, and has threatened to use force if it seeks independence. |
Beijing has so far made no public comment on the latest development. | Beijing has so far made no public comment on the latest development. |
From concern to alarm and anger - Carrie Gracie, BBC China editor, Beijing | From concern to alarm and anger - Carrie Gracie, BBC China editor, Beijing |
The president elect's decision to turn his back on four decades of US protocol on Taiwan and speak directly to a president of Taiwan will stun policymakers in Beijing. | The president elect's decision to turn his back on four decades of US protocol on Taiwan and speak directly to a president of Taiwan will stun policymakers in Beijing. |
Since his election last month, they have struggled to understand who is advising Donald Trump on Asia and what his China policy will look like. | Since his election last month, they have struggled to understand who is advising Donald Trump on Asia and what his China policy will look like. |
This move will turn concern into alarm and anger. | This move will turn concern into alarm and anger. |
Beijing sees Taiwan as a province and denying it any of the trappings of an independent state is one of the key priorities of Chinese foreign policy. | Beijing sees Taiwan as a province and denying it any of the trappings of an independent state is one of the key priorities of Chinese foreign policy. |
Read more from Carrie:The Trump phone call that will stun Beijing | |
President Tsai, Taiwan's first female leader, led the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide victory in the poll. | President Tsai, 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. | 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. | 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. | The US still maintains friendly non-official relations with Taiwan. |
Following Mr Trump's telephone conversation, the White House said the US remained firmly committed to its "One China" policy. | Following Mr Trump's telephone conversation, the White House said the US remained firmly committed to its "One China" policy. |
"Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations," said Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council. | "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations," said Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council. |
Meanwhile, Mr Trump is also reported to have invited President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines to the White House next year during a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation, according to one of Mr Duterte's aides. | Meanwhile, Mr Trump is also reported to have invited President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines to the White House next year during a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation, according to one of Mr Duterte's aides. |
But a statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of an invitation. | But a statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of an invitation. |
The Philippines leader has had disagreements with President Barack Obama and has in the past insulted him. Mr Obama cancelled a planned meeting with him in September. | The Philippines leader has had disagreements with President Barack Obama and has in the past insulted him. Mr Obama cancelled a planned meeting with him in September. |