Abdelrahman
The United States Department of State has updated its communications regarding Taiwan, removing language that explicitly stated Washington does not endorse Taiwanese independence.
In the latest revision of its “fact sheet” about Taiwan—an island that operates independently but is claimed by China—the State Department no longer includes the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence,” which was part of earlier versions of the document.
The updated fact sheet, published on Thursday, also modifies a section on Taiwan’s role in international organizations. It eliminates previous references to “where statehood is not a requirement” and emphasizes that the issue of Taiwan’s relationship with China should be addressed “free from coercion, in a manner acceptable to the people on both sides of the Strait.”
Additionally, the update introduces language about the Pentagon’s collaboration with Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council.
The State Department characterized these changes as standard procedure in response to media inquiries. A spokesperson explained, “As is routine, the fact sheet was updated to inform the general public about our unofficial relationship with Taiwan.” The spokesperson reiterated the U.S. commitment to its “One China Policy,” which recognizes the notion that there is only one legitimate Chinese government, and emphasized the goal of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
“We oppose any unilateral alterations to the status quo from either side. We support dialogue across the Taiwan Strait and expect that disputes be settled peacefully, without coercion, in ways that are acceptable to both sides,” the spokesperson noted.
The American Institute in Taiwan, which serves as the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei, was closed for Presidents’ Day and unavailable for commentary on Monday. The State Department has yet to respond to inquiries from Al Jazeera.
China’s embassies in Washington, D.C., and Canberra, Australia, also did not provide responses to requests for feedback.
Despite the State Department’s downplaying of the significance of the revision, analysts like Yang Kuang-shun from the US Taiwan Watch think tank suggest this serves as a statement to China regarding Washington’s rapport with Taiwan.
Yang commented, “This is a significant shift, yet it doesn’t suggest that the Trump administration will advocate for Taiwanese independence or any drastic policy changes.” He noted that the updated language signifies that the U.S. intends to shape the dynamics of U.S.-Taiwan and U.S.-China relations, rather than allowing China to dominate the narrative.
The revised wording also highlights China’s coercive practices against Taiwan, such as trade sanctions, while asserting that any disputes should be resolved in a “manner acceptable” to both parties.
Officially called the Republic of China, Taiwan is a self-governing democracy, yet it enjoys formal recognition from only a limited number of countries. Nevertheless, it maintains unofficial relationships with a broad array of nations, including the U.S.
Taiwan considers itself a de facto independent entity but has never formally declared independence from Beijing, which has consistently warned that such a declaration could lead to military conflict.
The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 mandates that Washington assist Taiwan in its self-defense, although it does not guarantee military intervention in instances of a Chinese invasion or blockade.
Minor adjustments in how U.S. officials address Taiwan are monitored closely by both Taipei and Beijing. Former President Joe Biden has asserted multiple times that the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of a military confrontation with China, although his comments have been retracted by the State Department on each occasion.
In May 2022, during Biden’s presidency, the State Department temporarily removed a reference to Taiwanese independence from its fact sheet but reinstated it shortly afterward.
On Sunday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation for the updated wording from the State Department, interpreting it as evidence of the “close and friendly partnership” between Taiwan and the U.S. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung commended the U.S. for its “support and positive stance on U.S.-Taiwan relations” and its commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, along with their economic and technological cooperation.
Lin’s comments follow Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent vow to enhance investments in the U.S., a move interpreted as an effort to mitigate the risks of new tariffs on Taiwanese goods from President Trump. Lai characterized Taiwan as an “indispensable partner” in helping the U.S. rejuvenate its high-tech manufacturing sector.
