The U.S. State Department has quietly removed a reference to its opposition to Taiwan’s independence from its official website. The updated page maintains that Washington opposes unilateral changes to the status quo from either Taiwan or China.
The revision, praised by Taiwan, also highlights cooperation on Pentagon-led semiconductor projects and U.S. support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Taiwan’s “Foreign Minister” Lin Chia-lung welcomed the change, calling it a positive stance in U.S.-Taiwan relations. Taiwan views itself as an independent nation, rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
The Chinese authorities stated, “there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It is a prevailing international consensus and basic norm governing international relations, and also a solemn commitment the U.S. has made in the three China-U.S. joint communiqués.”
“History cannot be tampered with, facts cannot be denied, and truth cannot be distorted. U.S. State Department updated its fact sheet on relations with Taiwan and gravely backpedaled on its position on Taiwan-related issues,” according to a statement from the Chinese authorities.
This move severely violates the one-China principle and three China-U.S. joint communiqués, goes against international law and basic norms of international relations, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence.” This is another example of the U.S. clinging to its wrong policy of “using Taiwan to contain China,”” the statement continued.
While the U.S. has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it is legally bound to assist in Taiwan’s defense.
The Chinese authorities urged the U.S. to “immediately correct its wrongdoings, abide by the one-China principle and three China-U.S. joint communiqués, handle the Taiwan question with extra prudence, stop using Taiwan to contain China, stop upgrading its substantive relations with Taiwan, stop helping Taiwan expand so-called “international space,” stop emboldening and supporting “Taiwan independence,” and avoid further severe damage to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
The U.S. continues to support Taiwan despite Beijing’s pressure and recent military activities around the island.
