Taiwan president-elect says had effective communications with U.S.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson and presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen announces her election victory to the media at their party headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan January 16, 2016. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

BEIJING (Reuters) - Taiwan president-elect Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday her party has had effective communications with the United States in the past and she hopes to continue with that.

The United States does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is the self-ruled island's most important backer and supplier of arms.