Trump’s response a ‘slap’ on Tsai’s face: China

By Gaurav Sharma

Beijing, April 28 (IANS) China on Friday said US President Donald Trump saying that he would consult Beijing before talking to Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen was a "slap" on her face.

Beijing's reaction came after Trump said he would consult Chinese President Xi Jinping before talking to Tsai, who in an interview said that there was a possibility of another phone call between the US President and her.

Last year, Trump had made China furious by talking to Tsai, breaking the four-decade-old US policy of not maintaining touch with any Taiwanese head.

"(Xi) He's a friend of mine. He's actually a ... I think he's doing an amazing job as a leader, and I wouldn't want to do anything that comes in the way of that. So, I would certainly want to speak to him first," Trump said in an interview.

China said it had noticed the comments.

"We have noticed the response made by the US side and I believe Taiwan also has noticed the response," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told the media here.

"China always opposes any official contacts and countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan. This position is consistent and firm," Geng said.

"There are hot online debates about the possible phone call. They believe it's a slap in the face of Tsai Ing-wen," Geng added.

The phone call between Trump and Tsai had soured relations between the US and China.

A self-ruled island, Taiwan has never openly accepted being part of the Chinese mainland.

Beijing claims the breakaway part as its own.