Actions by Taiwan leader called 'petty'

However, Li Haidong, a professor of US studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said Trump is unpredictable.

"The Obama government will continue to send the signal that Washington will not change its one-China policy," Li said. "On the contrary, Trump is highly unpredictable."

It is unlikely that Tsai will meet with senior Obama administration officials, Li said.

Trump might adopt risky policies toward Taiwan after taking office, because the political novice might not know well the significance of Taiwan in China-US relations, and his advisers might have a great impact on him, he added.

Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said Tsai is using the US as a focus to make a breakthrough from what he called her bad performance in office, while Trump is testing China's bottom line on Taiwan.

"But the test is very dangerous, as China has made its stance very clear. Moreover, China's will and capability to maintain Taiwan as part of China are unprecedented," he said.

"Playing the Taiwan card is fruitless, and even counterproductive," he added.

US Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, tweeted on Tuesday, "Pressing China on Taiwan won't likely bring them to (the) table on North Korea and currency," and this "risks backing them into a dark, nasty corner".

Zhang Zhihao contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhaohuanxin@chinadaily.com.cn