Biafra: Tension in Aso Rock as Trump Recognizes Taiwan; Shatters ‘One China’ Policy
President-elect Donald Trump has spoken directly with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen – breaking with nearly four decades of US policy – in a move protested by China.
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 Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it had lodged a protest with the “relevant side” in the United States – with experts saying that officials in Beijing will have been angered by the call.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a campagin rally inside the Cabarrus Arena 7 Events Center in Concord, North Carolina on November 3, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Logan Cyrus
Shortly after reports broke about the call, Mr Trump issued a tweet saying that Ms Tsai called him. However, according to a Taipei Times report the call was apparently “arranged by his Taiwan-friendly campaign staff”.
“The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!” Mr Trump tweeted, but Alex Huang, a spokesman for Ms Tsai, said later: “Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.” .
Meanwhile, reports reaching our Newsdesk from very reliable Presidency sources indicate uneasy calm in President Buhari’s inner circle as his think tanks evaluate what this remarkable policy shift would mean to the Biafran struggle in Nigeria and many other countries facing secessionist agitations.
Trump had on several occasions during his electioneering campaign emphasized his uncompromising belief in ‘Right to self determination’ as a sacred and unalienable right of every free people, which would form a major part of his foreign policy.
