US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken directly with the president of Taiwan - breaking with US policy set in 1979 when formal relations...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, expressing its support for Beijing's "One China" policy. China has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong Kong, to the dispute.
However, the US maintains friendly non-official relations with Taiwan.
Source: BBC
