Trump and his advisers have sought to publicly portray the call the president-elect took from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen ­on Friday as a routine congratulatory call. China reacted sternly to the Taiwan call, suggesting that it shows Trump’s inexperience. Several leading members of Trump’s transition team are considered hawkish on China and friendly toward Taiwan, including incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus. It was planned weeks ahead by staffers and Taiwan specialists on both sides, according to people familiar with the plans. “Very early on, Taiwan was on that list,” said Stephen Yates, a national security official during the presidency of George W. Bush and an expert on China and Taiwan.

Source: Washington Post December 05, 2016 01:20 UTC