Beijing [China]: The recent update by the US Department of State to its online fact sheet on America’s relations with Taiwan has sparked backlash from China, which has accused the Trump administration of “serious regression” in its stance on Taiwan.
According to CNN, the US State Department removed the phrase, “we do not support Taiwan independence,” during a routine update to its website last week. This removal has raised concerns in Beijing, which views the shift as a deviation from Washington’s previous policy stance.
Chinese Reaction and Warning
China has strongly criticized the update, urging the United States to “immediately correct its mistakes” to avoid further damaging China-US relations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the change a “serious regression,” which, according to spokesperson Guo Jiakun, “sends a seriously erroneous message to the separatist forces advocating for Taiwan independence.”
Guo added, “This is further evidence of the US stubbornly adhering to the erroneous policy of using Taiwan to contain China.”
US Response: Routine Update
In response to the criticism, the State Department described the change as a “routine” update to keep the public informed about US-Taiwan relations. A spokesperson reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to its “one China policy,” a statement that remains in the updated fact sheet. The spokesperson also reiterated that the US is committed to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.
The update, while welcomed by Taipei, has led to one of the strongest rebukes from Beijing since Donald Trump returned to the White House.