TAIPEI, Taiwan: The U.S. State Department has changed the wording on its website’s fact sheet on Taiwan, again stating that the United States does not support formal independence of the democratic island.
In May, the State Department changed its website on Taiwan, causing anger in Beijing, with wording that did not oppose Taiwan independence and did not acknowledge Beijing’s long-held position that Taiwan is part of China.
Washington said the update did not reflect a change in policy.
“We oppose 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,” the department said on the website, dated May 28.
The change on the U.S. website was reported by Taiwan’s official Central News Agency on June 3, though the date on the change was May 28.
A State Department spokesperson noted that the fact sheet had been changed to reflect Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent speech on China, in which Blinken said the United States does not support Taiwan independence.
“We oppose 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,” the State Department spokesperson said.
Other U.S. officials also have said that long-standing policy on Taiwan has not changed.
While Washington has no formal ties with Taipei, it remains Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier.
Taiwan has repeatedly said that only the island’s 23 million people have the right to decide their future.
Taiwan has also said it will defend itself if attacked.
