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Trump-Taiwan call breaks US policy stance | |
(35 minutes 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. | |
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. |
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reportedly dismissed the call as a "petty trick" by Taiwan. | Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reportedly dismissed the call as a "petty trick" by Taiwan. |
What happened? | |
Mr Trump tweeted on Friday that Ms Tsai had called him to congratulate him on winning the US election. | |
His team said that the US president-elect had also congratulated Ms Tsai on becoming the president of Taiwan last January. | |
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 he was "well aware" of what US policy has been on Taiwan. | Mr Trump's spokeswoman said he was "well aware" of what US policy has been on Taiwan. |
Read more: What's behind the China-Taiwan divide? | |
Why the concern? | |
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. | 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 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. |
President Tsai, Taiwan's first female leader, led the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide victory in January's poll. | |
The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China and President Tsai's administration does not accept One China policy. | |
Read more: Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's shy but steely leader | |
From concern to alarm and anger - Carrie Gracie, BBC China editor, Beijing | |
Mr Trump'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. | |
This move will turn concern into alarm and anger. | |
Beijing sees Taiwan as a province. 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 | |
How has China responded? | |
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it opposed any official interaction or military contact between the US and Taiwan, according to Communist Party mouthpiece the People's Daily. | |
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the conversation between Mr Trump and Ms Tsai was "just a petty trick by Taiwan" that he believed would not change US policy toward China, according to Hong Kong's Phoenix TV. | Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the conversation between Mr Trump and Ms Tsai was "just a petty 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," he was quoted as saying. | "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. |
Despite the formal ties being cut nearly four decades ago, the US has still maintained friendly non-official relations with Taiwan. | Despite the formal ties being cut nearly four decades ago, the US has still maintained 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 Philippine 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. |