The United States quietly revised its official fact sheet on its relations with Taiwan, omitting a long-standing statement explicitly stating that Washington does not support Taiwan’s independence. The move triggered a strong reaction from China, which has urged the US to correct what it calls a mistake.
China, which considers self-governed Taiwan a breakaway province destined for reunification – not ruling out the use of force, if necessary – said that the amendment sends a “wrong signal” to the separatist forces in Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, condemned the change, stating that it marked a “big step backwards” and constituted another example of “using Taiwan to suppress China.”
State Department calls it a routine update
The US State Department described the revision as a “routine update” made last Thursday. The previous version of the fact sheet had included the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence,” but the updated version omits this assurance while reiterating US commitment to the “One China” policy. Under this policy, the US formally recognises the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, rather than Taiwan.
A US spokesperson was also quoted reaffirming Washington’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and highlighted continued support for Taiwan’s membership in international organisations “where applicable”. While the US does not have diplomatic relations with the republic, the updated factsheet also underscored its commitment to deepening its unofficial relationship with Taiwan.
China’s reaction
China has demanded that the United States immediately correct what it sees as an error. Guo Jiakun, in press conference in Beijing, said, “This is yet another example of the United States stubborn adherence to the erroneous policy of “using Taiwan to suppress China”. “We urge the US to immediately correct its mistakes,” he added.
The Chinese government has long warned against any moves that might embolden Taiwan’s independence movement. It has also responded to such developments with heightened military pressure in the Taiwan Strait, including an increase in military drills near Taiwan.
Taiwan welcomes the update
In contrast to Beijing’s condemnation, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung welcomed the change, calling it a “supportive and positive stance on US-Taiwan relations.” Taiwan has consistently rejected China’s sovereignty claims, arguing that the island’s future should be decided solely by its people.
Taiwan considers itself a sovereign nation under the official name “Republic of China” – a government that retreated to the island in 1949 following the Chinese Civil War, while Mao Zedong’s communists established the People’s Republic of China on the mainland. However, the Taiwanese favor maintaining the status quo rather than formally declaring independence or unifying with China.
The US’ revision, while subtle, underscores the complex and sensitive nature of Taiwan’s geopolitical status. China’s reaction hints at a nuanced shift in US diplomacy that could further strain the already tense US-China relations. Whether this change leads to more concrete policy shifts remain to be seen, but for now, it has reignited one of the most contentious issues in international politics.
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Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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