China Reacts Strongly to U.S.’s Modification of Language Regarding Taiwan Independence
Getty Images The U.S. State Department has removed a statement from its website that previously declared Washington does not support Taiwans independencea decision that has met with strong criticism from China.
“This revision sends the wrong signal to separatist forces advocating for Taiwan’s independence,” said China in response, demanding the US “correct their mistakes.”
Previously, the departments fact sheet on Sino-American relations included a phrase stating that Washington did not support Taiwanese independence. The statement was removed last week as part of what the department referred to as a routine update.
A U.S. spokesperson assured reporters that their commitment to the “One China” policy remains intact, one where the United States recognizes and maintains formal ties with China rather than Taiwan.
China views self-governing Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to reunify. Meanwhile, many Taiwanese see themselves as a separate nation but are generally content with maintaining the status quo where they neither declare independence nor unify with China.
The updated fact sheet also notes that the US will support Taiwan’s membership in international organizations “where applicable.”
“We have long stated our opposition to any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side,” said a spokesperson at the American Institute of Taiwan, which serves as Americas de facto embassy on the island.
On Sunday, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed gratitude for what he called “positive and Taiwan-friendly wording.” However, in its press conference on Monday, Beijing slammed the move, calling it a serious regression in U.S. policy toward Taiwan.
“This sends a wrong signal to separatist forces advocating for independence,” said Chinese spokesperson Guo Jiakun, emphasizing that China urges the US to “immediately correct its mistakes and earnestly adhere to the One-China principle.”
