Posted on 02/09/2017 9:41:23 PM PST by Pinkbell
Donald Trump has held his first telephone conversation with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, since entering the White House, telling the Communist party leader he will not challenge Beijing by upending longstanding US policy towards Taiwan.
In a statement the White House said the leaders of the world’s two largest economies had held a “lengthy” and “extremely cordial” telephone call on Thursday evening in which “numerous topics” were discussed.
“President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honor our ‘One China’ policy,” the White House said, referring to a diplomatic understanding by which Washington does not challenge China’s claim over Taiwan, a democratically ruled island that Beijing considers a breakaway province.
Following his shock election in November last year, Trump had infuriated and unnerved Beijing by questioning his administration’s commitment to that policy and holding an unprecedented phone conversation with Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen.
On Tuesday some of the world’s leading China specialists warned that already “precarious” ties between Beijing and Washington could be plunged into a dangerous new era, partly as a result of Trump’s rise to power.
Bonnie Glaser, the director of the China power project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank in Washington, said the conversation between the two leaders, which had taken almost three weeks to arrange, would calm fears that US-China relations were on the verge of a damaging breakdown.
“I think the entire region will heave a sigh of relief here,” she said. “One hopes that what this understanding has achieved is to enable the US and China to head off a major crisis.”
Glaser said she believed China had been holding off arranging a phone call with Trump until it was convinced he would not seek to challenge Beijing over Taiwan.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
have we just abandoned the six assurances?
“US arms sales to Taiwan are guided by the Taiwan Relations Act and based on an assessment of Taiwan’s defense needs.”
It looks like you are correct by the above statement. I’m sure we have trade agreements, etc. with Taiwan as well. OCINO. (One China in name only!).
Rumors the Priebus has been fingered on some of the leaks and backstabbing and won’t be long for the administration.
Are you expecting Trump to declare war on China in his first phone call with Xi Jinping? Seriously, let Trump get our house in order first.
He might get things done later, but he has a weak hand currently with China.
If true, I wonder what he leveraged. Maybe a NKOR has been collared for now.
The wording in the headline is misleading. “Agrees to support” is not the same as “honoring our policy”. It is subtle but definitely different. Giving support means actively endorsing. Honoring what is currently the status quo is much more transient and more easily subject to revision.
If another Tianammen Square happens it will be Taiwan’s opportunity. If China pulls another Falkland Islands fiasco it’s over for them.
Maybe Trump is buying time for Taiwan to develop some serious nukes. After all Quemoy is only 20 miles from the Mainland. Been there. Saw that.
Taiwan is about 90 miles from Red China if I remember my geography. Enough time to launch on command if the Commies try a sneak attack. The Tawianese Chinese and aboriginal inhabitants are not stupid. They will develop what they need in order to prevent a Red attack but, unlike Obozo and his group of loudmouths and cowards, they won’t tell anyone they have the good stuff until they need to or are ready to use it.
Israel has a “Doomsday” scenario for the whole Middle East so that is why they have been basically left alone re a nuclear threat (though they have taken out nuclear weapons facilities in both Iraq and Syria, and have targeted those in Iran).
You don’t show your hand until you need to. Any poker player knows that.
Trump is in the opening moves of a negotiation. Notice that what he agreed to may sound like a lot, but it really is not. He agreed to not publicly challenge China`s position on Taiwan. He`s not saying he agrees with it. He`s just saying he won`t openly criticize it - for now. And I`m sure Trump will get something in return. If he doesn`t, he can always reconsider his position, and the Chicoms understand that.
And if Trump can put a stop to China`s island building in the South China Sea, I`m sure Taiwan would consider the end result to be a win for them.
Exactly. He’s looking down at the big picture. Keep the Taiwan (distraction) out of negotiations until more important objectives are achieved. Maybe circle back on the Taiwan issue at a later date.
Rush fan? :)
Maybe one China in time will be just like Taiwan.
Trump is always negotiating.
Too bad The Donald backed down; China’s ‘One China’ includes everything from the Philippines west to India.
I'm disappointed in this. The majority of people in Taiwan want independence based on polls there. Also we already sell Taiwan weapons and promise to protect them from an attack by China:
America has been policing the world for over 50 years.
The madness has to end at some point.
Is Taiwan REALLY an American ally? They say they are.
What historical, cultural, and racial connections and tradition does Taiwan share with America?
Do we want war with China over a tiny foreign island?
Ever considered China's claim to Taiwan to be actually legitimate?
The American people are tired of sacrificing their economy, the lives of their fighting age men, and their national reputation over tiny foreign and exotic nations that don't care about us and NEVER reciprocate our Herculean efforts on their behalf.
Ever hear of a “feint?”
Feint or faint?
Is Taiwan REALLY an American ally? They say they are.
.....................................................
I think you need to learn some history. Chiang Kai-shek was President of the Republic of China until 1949 when he was overthrown by Mao Zedong. During the Second World War, China was our Ally against Japan. They suffered much and fought hard against Japan. Remember the Flying Tigers? Gen Claire Chennault? Jimmy Doolittle?(The Doolittle raiders on Tokyo landed in China)The rape of Nanking? Chiang was a soldier and leader who fled to Taiwan when defeated by Communist Mao Zedong. He ruled there from 1950 until he died in 1975. Taiwan is a Democracy.
Yes we should aid Taiwan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FEINT!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.