U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and the leader of Taiwan put China on the defensive late Friday with a historic, upbeat phone call to discuss Washington’s role in possibly helping the diplomatically isolated island gain international status.
China’s foreign minister dubbed the 12-minute phone call by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen a “petty action” that will not lead to changes in Sino-U.S. relations.
But the communist leadership will watch for fallout, such as whether Trump again speaks with Taiwan after his January 20 inauguration or gives Taiwan some of what its president suggested on the call, experts predict.
“It serves notice to Beijing that Washington chooses to do what’s beneficial to Washington,” said Raymond Wu, managing director of Taipei-based political consultancy e-telligence. “It’ll do that whether it’s in terms of substantive issues or symbolic gestures.”
China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s and forbids its more than 170 diplomatic allies, including the United States, from making official contact with the Taiwanese leadership.
“The president … told Trump that in the future she hopes that on the question of international relations, the U.S. side can continue to help Taiwan have more chances to participate and make contributions,” the statement said.
China bars Taiwan from joining international organizations such as the United Nations if they require statehood as a prerequisite. Diplomatic isolation is a sore point for Taiwan’s public, which has leaned on the president to push for change. Lack of formal ties abroad has also made it hard to sign trade deals with other countries.
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