A Chinese government official issued a message to President-elect Trump Sunday, calling the One China policy non-negotiable after Trump said it was up for discussion in his White House.
Fox News reported China Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement that the Taiwanese government is not a legitimate government and only the Chinese government should be recognized.
“[The] government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing China,” Lu said.
“That is the fact acknowledged by the international community and no one can change,” he added.
On Friday, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that “everything is under negotiation, including ‘One China.'” The One China policy has been the bedrock of China’s relationship with the United States since the American government officially recognized the government in Beijing in 1979.
The U.S. maintains unofficial ties with the Taiwanese government.
Trump put China on notice when he accepted a call from Taiwan’s president congratulating him on his victory in November’s election.
Trump regularly attacked China on the campaign trail and on his Twitter account and he’s been praised for taking a tougher stance with the Chinese government by some Republicans.
