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BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) – China has called upon the United States to “correct its mistakes” following a recent change on the U.S. State Department’s website, which removed the previous statement affirming non-support for Taiwan independence. The U.S. characterized the modification as a part of routine updates.
The updated fact sheet regarding Taiwan reiterates the U.S. stance against any unilateral attempts to alter the current status — whether from Taiwan or the Chinese government that claims the island as its own.
Alongside removing the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence,” the revised page highlights Taiwan’s collaboration with U.S. defense initiatives such as technology and semiconductor development. It also mentions U.S. support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations “where applicable.”
China consistently opposes any form of international acknowledgment of Taiwan and condemns communications between Taiwanese officials and foreign governments, interpreting these as attempts to legitimize Taiwan’s independent status.
The adjustments on the State Department website were made approximately three weeks after President Biden’s inauguration for his second term.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, criticized the changes, labeling them a significant regression and conveying a “seriously wrong message” to advocates of Taiwan independence. Based on Guo’s statements, the United States persists in what they perceive as an incorrect approach of “utilizing Taiwan to counter China” and urged for an immediate rectification of this policy.
While the U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it stands as the island’s foremost supporter on the international stage, legally obliged to assist Taiwan in its self-defense efforts.
A spokesperson from the State Department clarified that the fact sheet’s update was intended to keep the public informed about the U.S.’s informal relations with Taiwan. They reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to its one China policy, which entails not taking a stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty and acknowledging China’s claims.
The spokesperson asserted that the U.S. is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral alterations to the status quo from either Taiwan or China. They emphasized support for dialogue across the Strait, expecting that differences should be resolved peacefully and under conditions acceptable to both sides.
On a related note, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed gratitude for the U.S.’s supportive position regarding Taiwan, highlighting the positive development in U.S.-Taiwan relations.
The government of Taiwan firmly refutes China’s sovereignty claims, asserting that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their future. They maintain that Taiwan is an independent nation officially known as the Republic of China, a title stemming from its complex historical backdrop where the Republican government retreated to Taiwan in 1949 after a civil conflict with Mao Zedong’s forces, leading to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
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