Chinese Military Official Says War With US Has Become “Practical Reality”

China’s foreign ministry lodged a formal complaint regarding a phone call between President Donald Trump and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen— a communication clearly negating the diplomatic protocol established in 1979 which ties the U.S. to The People’s Republic of China (mainland China) in place of the Republic of China (Taiwan). China was reacting to Trump’s social media outpourings that reveal intimate communications with Taiwan. China is just the latest to be seriously offended by Trump’s seeming fascination for top social media outlet, Twitter. In reference to his social media platforms and presence, Donald Trump eloquently provided on his Today show appearance, “I think I am very restrained, and I talk about important things”. Tweeting from the handle @realDonaldTrump:

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!

9:44 PM – 2 Dec 2016

The tweets, as reported by the Daily Dot, seem to escalate as Trump (classically) defends his actions, by casually mentioning massive exports of military equipment. This could be in reference to “the U.S. commitment to assist Taiwan in maintaining its defensive capability”, as stated by the U.S. Department of State.

Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

10:41 PM – 2 Dec 2016

The Chinese media was not impressed by these ominous gesticulations. According to the South China Morning Post, on January 20, People’s Liberation Army cited war with U.S. as a “practical reality” according to rising tensions over U.S. “rebalance” in Asia, referencing deployments to the region and arming South Korea with the THAAD missile defense system. Trump’s involvement with Taiwan specifically denies the U.S.-P.R.C. Joint Communique, created under the Carter presidency in 1979, which “switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing” and established that “the United States does not support Taiwan independence”. This occurs in the context of the One China Policy, directed towards the long-standing dispute between China and Taiwan about which among the two is the legitimate Chinese government. Consequently, the U.S. officially recognizes the People’s Republic of China, and Taiwan as a part of China. Since, the U.S. and Taiwan have maintained a relationship primarily based on economic partnership in trade.

As China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang declared “We have noticed relevant reports and lodged solemn representation with the relevant side in the United States”. On damage control, White House spokesman Josh Earnest insisted that senior National Security Council officials spoke with Chinese officials in order to “reiterate and clarify the continued commitment of the United States to our longstanding China policy”. The Chinese Foreign ministry, for its part, asserted that Trump and his team are now clear on the Taiwan issue. As U.S. continues to fight to regain Chinese trust it remains to be seen if Trump’s characteristic directness and unapologetic tone will again threaten the already tenuous relationship.

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