US Drops Taiwan Independence Clause, Sparks Outrage from China

In a recent update, the US State Department omitted the statement asserting that it does not support Taiwan's independence, igniting anger from China. While the US maintains its commitment to the "One China" policy, China perceives this change as a signal of support for Taiwan's separatist forces. Taiwanese officials welcomed the update, viewing it as positive, while Beijing condemned it as a grave mistake.

The US State Department has created a stir with its recent update regarding Taiwan, having removed the critical phrase "we do not support Taiwan independence" from its official fact sheet on Taiwan-US relations. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from China, which characterized the change as a dangerous message to those advocating for Taiwan’s independence. A spokesperson for China urged the US to remedy what they termed a significant mistake, expressing concerns that the revision promotes separatist movements.

In the updated fact sheet, the US reaffirmed its commitment to the "One China" policy, acknowledging that it maintains formal diplomatic relations with China rather than Taiwan. Despite China's claim over Taiwan as a rebellious province, many citizens in Taiwan perceive themselves as part of an independent nation, preferring the status quo of mutual coexistence without either unification or a formal declaration of independence.

Furthermore, the updated document now includes a pledge to support Taiwan's participation in international organizations where applicable. A representative from the American Institute in Taiwan, which acts as the US embassy in the region, clarified that the changes were intended to better communicate America’s informal relations with Taiwan and reiterated their opposition to unilateral modifications of the status quo.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed appreciation for the new language, calling it “positive, Taiwan-friendly wordings.” Conversely, during a press briefing on Monday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson labeled the update as a "serious regression" in US policy towards Taiwan. They reiterated that the removal of the phrase sends an incorrect signal to independence proponents and accused the US of utilizing Taiwan to contain China. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, as well as the complexities of US involvement in the region.