Donald Trump hits out at China on Twitter

Donald Trump has complained about Chinese economic and military policy after a phone conversation with Taiwan's President drew the ire of Beijing.

The President-elect's unusual call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday led to a diplomatic protest, although Vice President-elect Mike Pence played down its significance, saying it was a "courtesy", not intended to show a shift in US policy on China.

"Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the U.S. doesn't tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so!" Mr Trump said on Twitter.

China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim ownership of parts or all of the energy-rich South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually.

:: Trump, Taiwan and China: Why one phone call matters so much

The call with Taiwan was the first by a US President-elect or President since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China".

Beijing blamed Taiwan for the call, but also lodged a diplomatic process with the US on Saturday, saying the "one China" policy was the bedrock of relations between China and the US.

Mr Pence called the uproar over the call with "democratically elected" Tsai a "tempest in a teapot." 

He blamed the media for the controversy, saying the call was similar in nature to one between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping after the election.

"I think I would just say to our counterparts in China that this was a moment of courtesy.

"The President-elect talked to President Xi two weeks ago in the same manner. It was not a discussion about policy," Mr Pence said on NBC's Meet the Press.

China's Foreign Ministry said it had lodged "stern representations" with what it called the "relevant US side", urging caution on the issue.

Mr Pence said he was not aware of any contact between the Trump transition team and the Chinese government since Friday and did not expect Mr Trump's team to reach out this week to ease tensions.