China has condemned the Trump administration for a “serious regression” in its stance on Taiwan following the removal of a statement from the US State Department’s website that affirmed the US does not support Taiwan’s independence. This adjustment, described as a “routine” update, has sparked significant backlash from Beijing, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must eventually be unified with the mainland.
China’s Foreign Ministry called for the US to rectify what it views as an unsettling shift in policy, warning that failing to do so could further damage China-US relations amidst rising tensions. Officials highlighted that this update sends a misleading message to pro-independence groups in Taiwan and reflects the US’s persistent strategy of using Taiwan as a lever against China.
Conversely, the update was welcomed in Taiwan, with local authorities perceiving it as an affirmation of support for Taiwan’s international status. The US maintains its commitment to the “one China” policy, recognising the People’s Republic as the legitimate government of China while still opposing Beijing’s claim over Taiwan.
In a broader context, under President Xi Jinping, China has intensified efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan, aggravating regional tensions. Recent US military manoeuvres in the Taiwan Strait have further inflamed the situation, with China denouncing these actions as provocative.