China was sternly displeased on Monday, urging the United States to “correct its errors” after recent adjustments in the U.S. State Department website altered its Taiwan policy. The amendment, removing the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence,” has caused great controversy.
The updated fact sheet on Taiwan still maintains Washington’s protest at China’s or Taiwan’s unilateral behavior, claiming that the self-governing island is part of its province. But the removal of the original language has raised controversy, particularly now that the page highlights Taiwan’s cooperation with U.S. defense efforts in technology and semiconductor research. It also includes an addition to supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations “where applicable.”
Beijing consistently condemns any global acknowledgment of Taiwan and denounces interactions between Taiwanese leaders and foreign officials as a threat to its sovereignty. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun denounced the shift, labeling it a serious backstep and “seriously wrong message” to Taiwan’s pro-independence camps. “This is the consistent policy of ‘using Taiwan to suppress China’ of the United States,” he stated, demanding that such blunders be promptly corrected.
The U.S., with which Taiwan has no official diplomatic relations, is its closest friend and is legally obligated to guarantee the island’s capacity for self-defense. In response to questions about the updates, a State Department official clarified that the updates were routine and were to inform the public about the informal U.S.-Taiwan relationship. The official reiterated the U.S. commitment to its one-China policy and reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
As all that went on, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed his appreciation to America for its support of Taiwan ties, affirming the island’s position that the future of Taiwan is only a matter to be decided by Taiwanese people. Taiwan considers itself to be an independent state, a Republic of China, following the Republican government’s escape in 1949 following the loss of a civil war against the communists.
