'Serious regression': China slams US for dropping wording on not supporting 'Taiwan independence'
World: Fact sheet was updated last week, and it retains US's opposition to unilateral change from either Taiwan or China, claiming the democratically governed island as its own.
China on Monday (Feb 17) slammed the US move to remove the statement stating that Washington does not support Taiwan's independence. Beijing urged America to "correct its mistakes."
On Sunday, the US State Department removed a statement from its website, which read that the US does not support Taiwan's independence.
The website further said that it "was part of a routine update".
The fact sheet was updated last week, and it retains Washington's opposition to unilateral change from either Taiwan or China, claiming the democratically governed island as its own.
"We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side," the State Department website reads in the update posted on Thursday. "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 (Taiwan) Strait."
)
From trash to energy: Scientists turn plastic waste into Hydrogen fuel using a new technique - Here's how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
'FIR not withdrawn' against Noida teen who 'abused' PM Modi despite apology, claims CJP
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter pilots wear blue flight suits compared to US pilots
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
August 2025 movie release calendar: Toxic, Batwara 1947, Awarapan 2 and all big-ticket films hitting theatres
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How often does an S-400 need maintenance?
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
One S-400 battery, dozens of targets: How it fights an air battle in seconds
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image
)
Bomb-making note found at Ayodhya medical college, 1st-year student detained. Here’s all we know
)
Tamil Nadu leader Udhayanidhi Stalin draws severe backlash over derogatory remark against Trisha
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Tom Holland-Zendaya to Blake Lively-Ryan Reynolds: Actors who met on sets and fell in love and married
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 openers with fastest ODI centuries, check who tops list
)
CJP's Abhijit Dipke speaks to protesting students in Jharkhand, extends support to their demands: Will he go to Ranchi?
)
At least 3 killed in mass shooting at Idaho restaurant, shocking video of gunman open firing with AR-style rifle surfaces
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian jets use heavier steel compared to US jets
)
'Muslims should not befriend kaafirs': Pak Army DG says India-Afghan ties that of 'master-slave'
)
‘Pakistan eroded India's faith bit by bit’: Indian envoy defends putting Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
The move sparked anger in China, as it said that the revision "sends a wrong...signal to separatist forces advocating for Taiwan independence".
"This is yet another example of the United States' stubborn adherence to the erroneous policy of 'using Taiwan to suppress China'. We urge the United States side to immediately rectify its mistakes," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.
Moreover, the foreign ministry called the US revision a "serious regression" in the US stance on Taiwan.
"We urge the US to immediately correct its mistakes [and] earnestly adhere to the One China principle."
A US spokesperson said that it remains committed to the "One China" policy, adding that the US has formal ties with China rather than Taiwan.
The update comes around three weeks after Donald Trump was sworn in as US President.
Taiwan foreign minister thanks US
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung thanked the US for what he called "positive, Taiwan-friendly wordings".
Lin thanked US President Donald Trump's administration for continuing to uphold the Taiwan Relations Act and "six assurances" to help Taiwan strengthen its self-defense capabilities, economic and societal resilience, and enhance cross-strait peace and stability, the statement read.
The US government, since ending official relations with Taiwan and shifting diplomatic recognition to China in 1979, has continually reiterated its position of not supporting Taiwanese independence.
China sees self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be part of the country.
However, Taiwan considers itself to be an independent nation, although many Taiwanese are in favour of maintaining the status quo where Taiwan neither declares independence from China nor unites with it.
(With inputs from agencies)
