China strongly objects to United States President-elect Donald Trump playing games to renegotiate U.S.-China relations by saying he doesn't feel "bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade."
In objecting to Trump's brand of reality show gamesmanship, Beijing said it's "gravely concerned" about Trump's latest remarks indicating he might be seriously reconsidering the One China policy. As can be expected, China expects Trump's administration to support to the policy that's been in place for close to four decades.
"The One China policy is the political foundation of China-U.S. ties," said Geng Shuang, Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Geng said the stable and healthy development of China-U.S. ties and cooperation in major areas will be severely affected if this foundation was undermined.
The foreign ministry was reacting to a statement made by Trump where he said he doesn't feel "bound by a one-China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade."
China also urged Trump to tread lightly on the Taiwan issue, saying this issue strikes at the heart of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and involves China's core interests.
"We urge the new U.S. leader and the government to fully recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, continue to stick to the one-China policy and the three Joint Communiques between China and the United States, and discreetly deal with Taiwan-related issues so as to prevent China-U.S. relations from being severely disturbed and damaged," said Geng.
Last Dec. 2, Trump spoke on the phone to Republic of China (Taiwan) President Tsai Ing-wen, a phone call last made four decades ago before the U.S. severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 to enforce the One China Policy adopted in 1972.
Trump's phone conversation with Ms Tsai, which the White House said was made by Ms Tsai, is the first between a U.S. president or president-elect and a Taiwanese president in over three decades.
Trump administration officials confirmed the president-elect did speak with Ms Tsai. They said Trump "noted the close economic, political, and security ties" between Taiwan and the United States.
Trump later tweeted: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!
"Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call."
Trump said it was hypocritical for Washington to provide Taipei with weapons but prevent the U.S. and Taiwanese leaders from communicating.
Taiwanese officials said President Tsai did congratulate Trump on his election victory, and also shared her ideas on other matters such as Taiwan's domestic economy and national defense. The U.S. is legally bound by treaties to defend Taiwan in the event of war with China.
"The two briefly exchanged views on affairs in Asia," said the office of Ms Tsai in a statement.
"President Tsai hopes to step up bilateral interactions and connections and to establish closer co-operative relations."