BEIJING/WASHINGTON – China lodged a diplomatic protest on Saturday after US President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, but blamed the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own for the “petty” move.
The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan’s leadership was the first by a US President-elect or President since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of “one China.”
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 China-US relationship,” it said.
The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation. (Reuters)
