China expressed anger on Monday over the Trump administration’s decision to remove a statement from the State Department’s website that had previously declared the US policy as not supporting Taiwan independence. Beijing, asserting its sovereignty over Taiwan despite the island’s independent government, military, and currency, criticized the move as a “serious regression” and demanded an immediate correction.
According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, the action by the US violates the one-China principle, the three China-US joint communiqués, international law, and basic norms of international relations. Beijing believes this decision sends a wrong signal to separatist movements and accused the US of sticking to a flawed policy of using Taiwan to counter China.
The US and Taiwan became separate entities after the Chinese Civil War in 1949, with nationalists retreating to the island while communists seized control of the mainland. Despite agreeing to the One China Policy in the 1970s under President Nixon, the US has historically maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan due to its strategic ambiguity on the matter.
Last week, the US removed the statement disavowing support for Taiwan’s independence from a State Department fact sheet on the US-Taiwan relationship. Taiwan welcomed this change, citing it as reflective of the close partnership between the two nations.
A State Department spokesperson clarified that the update was routine and reiterated the US commitment to the One China policy and maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait. Both sides are urged to refrain from making unilateral changes to the status quo.
The Taiwan Strait remains a contentious area, with China aiming for reunification with Taiwan, a region valued for its strategic military importance and economic significance. Concerns have been raised in the US about potential Chinese military actions against Taiwan, with some officials suggesting that an invasion could be possible by 2027.
As Xi Jinping continues to lead China, observers are monitoring his stance on Taiwan, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While China has not ruled out using military force to reclaim Taiwan, the situation remains fluid.
One of our core interests is to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We call upon the United States to promptly rectify its missteps to prevent any further harm to the relations between China and the U.S. Guo emphasized this stance on Monday. President Trump has populated his administration with individuals advocating for stricter U.S. approaches towards China, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
