Beijing/Washington, Dec. 4 (Reuters): 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 Taiwan Affairs Office also called the conversation a ”petty” move by Taiwan that does not change the island's status as part of China. China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. The White House also said after Trump's call that “longstanding policy” on China and Taiwan had not changed.

Source: The Telegraph December 04, 2016 04:47 UTC