U.S. gov't fact sheet removes line on not supporting Taiwanese independence

Washington, Feb. 15 (CNA) A Taiwan-United States relations fact sheet published on the U.S. State Department website has recently updated its contents to remove a line indicating Washington's long-held stance of not supporting Taiwanese independence.

The fact sheet, produced by the department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, previously stated that the U.S. opposes "any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side; we do not support Taiwan independence; and we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means."

However, in the updated version published on Feb. 13, the line stating that the U.S. does not support Taiwan's independence had been removed.

The updated paragraph now reads: "We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. We expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, free from coercion, in a manner acceptable to the people on both sides of the Strait."

Meanwhile, the fact sheet updated the U.S.' approach to supporting Taiwan's international participation.

Previously, in the section on Taiwan's Role in the International Community, the fact sheet said Washington "will continue to support Taiwan's membership in international organizations where statehood is not a requirement and encourage Taiwan's meaningful participation in organizations where its membership is not possible."

The Feb. 13 version of the section now does not mention statehood, saying only that the U.S. "will continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, including membership where applicable."

Since ending official relations with Taiwan (the Republic of China) and switching diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1979, the U.S. government has continually reiterated its position of not supporting Taiwanese independence.

The last time the same fact sheet cut the lines on the U.S. not supporting Taiwanese independence was in May 2022 under former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration. But the line was later reinstated about a month later following protests from the PRC, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory.

Asked for comment, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) told CNA that the changes were part of routine updates.

"As is routine, the fact sheet was updated to inform the general public about our unofficial relationship with Taiwan," an AIT spokesperson told CNA in an email response. AIT represents U.S. interests in the absence of official diplomatic ties.

"We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. We support cross-Strait dialogue, and we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, free from coercion, in a manner acceptable to people on both sides of the Strait," the spokesperson said.

The unnamed spokesperson also reiterated the U.S.' commitment to its "One China" policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances to Taiwan.

"We have long stated that we oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. We do not comment on every hypothetical. China presents the single greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," the spokesperson added, without elaborating.

In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) quoted Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) as expressing gratitude to the U.S. State Department for reaffirming support toward Taiwan with the latest updates in the fact sheet with additions "of positive, Taiwan-friendly wordings."

Lin thanked the new Donald Trump administration for continuing to uphold the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances to help Taiwan strengthen its self-defense capabilities, economic and society resilience, cross-strait peace and stability, the statement added.

MOFA said that the U.S. had placed high importance on enhancing bilateral economic and trade partnerships and Taiwan's international participation with the fact sheet updates.