Donald Trump talks with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen

World Today

President-elect Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a “USA Thank You” tour event, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

In an unprecedented break with the One-China Policy and accepted U.S-Mainland protocol, President-Elect Donald Trump has spoken with the leader of the Taiwan Region Tsai Ing-wen by phone.

CCTV America’s Jessica Stone has the latest.

Because the United States broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, the call is highly unusual, perhaps unprecedented, for a U.S. president or president-elect to speak directly with a Taiwanese leader.

“President-elect Trump spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who offered her congratulations. During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties exists between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year,” the Trump transition team said in a statement released to the public.

The U.S. still has unofficial ties with Taipei, however.

There is no immediate reaction from the Chinese government to this call.  The Mainland says it firmly opposes official contact in any form between Washington and Taipei.

Taiwan news reports suggest that Tsai Ing Wen initiated the call.

The White House confirmed to CCTV it was not informed about the call until after it happened. 

Trump also made separate calls to Afghan President Ahmadzai, President Duterte of the Phillippines and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore on Friday.